Once Upon a Time in Ankara 1998 Turkish Book Turkey Illustrated

Nezih Başgelen – Once Upon a Time in Ankara (Bir Zamanlar Ankara) – Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları Turkish Edition (1998)

Description:

This Turkish edition of Once Upon a Time in Ankara (Bir Zamanlar Ankara) by Nezih Başgelen was published by Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları in 1998. Printed in Turkish, the book offers a richly illustrated exploration of Ankara during the late Ottoman period and the early years of the Turkish Republic. Through historical photographs, archival documents, maps, postcards, and contemporary accounts, it reconstructs the city's transformation from a provincial Anatolian town into the capital of modern Türkiye.

Focusing on the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the book examines Ankara's urban development, architecture, neighborhoods, marketplaces, public buildings, and everyday social life. It also documents the dramatic changes brought about by the establishment of the Republic, illustrating how the city's physical landscape and cultural identity evolved alongside the emergence of the new Turkish state. The extensive visual material provides readers with a rare glimpse into the people, streets, and institutions that shaped Ankara during this pivotal period.

Prepared by archaeologist and publisher Nezih Başgelen, this work serves as both a historical reference and a visual archive of Ankara's past. By combining scholarly research with rare historical imagery, it preserves the memory of a city undergoing profound political, architectural, and social transformation, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of Ankara and modern Türkiye.

Key Features:

• Author: Nezih Başgelen

• Original Title: Once Upon a Time in Ankara

• Turkish Title: Bir Zamanlar Ankara

• Publisher: Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları

• Publication Date: 1998

• Language: Turkish

• Format: Paperback

• Genre: Local History; Urban History

• Subject: The urban and social history of Ankara during the late Ottoman and early Republican periods

• Literary Content: Historical study; Photographic archive

• Themes: Ankara; Urban development; Ottoman Empire; Early Republic; Architecture; Social history

• Historical Focus: Ankara's transformation from the late nineteenth century through the early decades of the Republic of Türkiye

• Educational Value: An important visual and historical study documenting Ankara's architectural, social, and cultural evolution through archival photographs, maps, postcards, and historical documents, offering valuable insight into one of the most significant periods in the city's history.

• Collector Appeal: A well-regarded publication by Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları featuring rare historical photographs and archival material, making it an excellent addition for collectors of Ankara history, urban studies, Turkish architecture, and local history.