Ankara: A Photographic Journey Through Turkey's Underrated Capital

A photographic reportage by Francesca Pompei reveals Ankara, Turkey's administrative capital, as a vibrant and dynamic metropolis often overlooked by international tourists. Situated at nearly 1000 meters altitude, the city is home to 5 million residents and boasts the highest concentration of universities in the country, making it a lively hub for students from across Turkey. The city's central districts like Kavaklıdere and Kızılay feature piercing studios, ethnic shops, vegan restaurants, and Irish-style pubs with live music. Futuristic skyscrapers such as the YDA and Next Level by Brigitte Weber dominate the skyline of the financial district Söğütözü, while the Ankara Konser Salonu, renovated by Uygur Architects, adds a metaphysical atmosphere. Ankara exhibits contradictions: monumental government buildings, gentrification of vast suburbs, and extensive construction of new public housing led by local builders, often pictured alongside President Erdoğan. Despite a depreciating lira and rising inflation, the city maintains a more relaxed lifestyle compared to Istanbul's crowded tourist centers. Pompei's photographs capture these contrasts, presenting Ankara as a city to discover slowly, much like the young Augustus did when he conquered it at age 19.