Look straight ahead in the center of the roundabout and you’ll spot a large dark sculpture crowned with dramatic spirals and majestic bull figures, surrounded by colorful flowerbeds-trust me, it’s hard to miss!
Now, picture yourself traveling back in time, thousands of years ago, to the mysterious world of the Hittites and the Hattiler, ancient peoples who loved the sun so much they built elaborate symbols to honor it. In front of you is the stunning Hittite Sun Course Monument, created in 1978 by the sculptor Nusret Suman. But here’s the twist: this isn’t just any monument-it’s actually a faithful replica of an ancient artifact discovered during excavations in Alacahöyük. Just imagine the excitement and suspense as archaeologists brushed away the dirt to reveal the original piece, once held in the tombs of powerful Hatti kings.
Why is it here, you ask? In the 1970s, Ankara was searching for a symbol that captured the spirit of Anatolia. Along came Mayor Vedat Dalokay, who chose this sun disc as the city’s new emblem-a symbol shining over Ankara ever since. The monument was gifted to the people by Anadolu Sigorta in 1977, maybe hoping the sun would bring extra good luck with their insurance policies! And the sun keeps shining-recently, in 2022, it was carefully restored so that it can keep lighting up Ankara for many years to come. So let your imagination spin with those swirling arms, and feel the ancient energy of Anatolia right at your feet!
