Temple of Augustus and Rome
Hacı Bayram, Altındağ, Ankara, TUR
Constructed in 25 BC after the Romans conquered what is now Anatolia—the central region of today’s Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye)—the marble Temple of Augustus and Rome stands in central Ankara. With only two walls and a doorway still intact, the site is mostly in ruins but prized for its Roman-era inscriptions, which chart the deeds of the Roman emperor Augustus.
Neighboring the Haci Bayram Veli mosque in Ankara’s Usul district, the open-air Temple of Augustus is closed to visitors but easily viewed from the square that borders it. An information panel beside the ruins charts the temple’s history.
Wander the perimeter to view the two walls, doorway, and broken pillars that remain standing. From here, it’s possible to make out the walls’ Latin and Greek inscriptions, although they’re heavily weathered. Carved after Augustus’ death in AD 14 and known as the Res gestae divi Augusti, they recount his achievements and are significant for being the last remaining complete version of the text, which was inscribed onto many Roman temples at the time.
The Temple of Augustus and Rome is a must-see for history enthusiasts.
The bordering square is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Bring sunscreen or a sun hat—there is no shade around the temple.
Plan on spending about 20 minutes here to inspect and take photos of the ruins.
The Temple of Augustus is a 10-minute downhill stroll from Ankara Citadel and borders a small park and plaza with fountains. To get there, take the metro to the Ulus station and walk for about 20 minutes: northwest along Istiklal, right along Cumhuriyet and Anafartalar before turning onto Hukumet at the roundabout, right onto Adliye, and continuing along Eti Zafer and Haci Bayram Veli.
You can view the Temple of Augustus at any time, although its ruins are best admired in daylight if you want to see the inscriptions. The adjacent square can get crowded during prayer times at the next-door mosque, so you may want to skip a visit at these times.
The Temple of Augustus is one of three key Roman relics in Ankara, all handily close to each other. Having viewed the Temple of Augustus, continue on foot to the nearby 3rd-century Roman baths. Here, it’s worth paying the small admission to wander around the ruins—they’re largely composed of the baths’ original heating system. Close by is the impressive Column of Julian, erected for a visit by the Roman emperor Julian in AD 362.
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