That enormous building at the back is Ankara railway station, which certainly surprised Jonathan as this wasn’t there last time he visited the city. Jonathan is more sceptical of buildings like this than I am, I’m all for shiny new shopping malls, craft beer bars and restaurants, but he’s perhaps more traditional. The building was opened in 2016 and it’s where the high speed rail services depart and arrive from.
As with most large public buildings in Turkey, there’s a security process before entering. Indeed, part of the sad history of this city is the bombing that took place here in 2015 which killed 109 people.
They even have a Popeyes…. It was a delight of a building internally, part shopping centre and part railway station, it’s certainly a modern arrangement. It also had a convenience store where we purchased snacks for our long train journey that lay ahead.
This new building is on the left and the original railway station, which is still in use, is on the right hand side.
The main concourse of the older station.
The board was most useful than this, it’s just that the photo has given the text a rather less useful feel.
There’s us, the 18:00 service.
The frontage of the older station which was opened in 1937 in the art deco style, replacing the previous 1892 railway station.
Back in the fancy new building, there’s a viewing terrace that has extensive views.