71 · City guide
Kırıkkale
Industry and history on the banks of the Kızılırmak
Kırıkkale is a young city that grew around the weapons and ammunition factories founded in the early years of the Republic and became a province in 1989. Although it is an industrial center thanks to its proximity to Ankara and its railway connection, the surrounding districts hold a much older past. The Seljuk-era Çeşnigir Bridge over the Kızılırmak and the Hittite city of Büklükale stand side by side near Karakeçili. Keskin's Sulu Cave, the Ceritkale rock tombs and 19th-century bedesten, and the historic mosques of Balışeyh and Sulakyurt make up the province's rural routes. Karaahmetli Nature Park on the shore of Kapulukaya Dam Lake is suitable for nature walks and birdwatching.
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Places
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Routes
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Badges
Where shall we explore?
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Mosque
Ballı Mosque
Balışeyh, Kırıkkale
A historic mosque in Balışeyh, notable for its wooden posts and painted ceiling decoration continuing the Seljuk tradition.
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Büklükale Archaeological Site
Karakeçili, Kırıkkale
A mound and archaeological site on the bank of the Kızılırmak, shown by excavations to have been an important city in the Hittite Imperial period.
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Clock tower
Çerikli Clock Tower
Delice, Kırıkkale
A clock tower built in 1991, modeled on the İzmir Clock Tower, in the square of the town of Çerikli attached to Delice.
Machine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.Bridge
Çeşnigir Bridge
Karakeçili, Kırıkkale
A cut-stone bridge over the Kızılırmak dated to the 13th century and repaired in the Ottoman period, today open only to pedestrians.
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Tomb (türbe)
Hasandede Mosque and Tomb
Merkez, Kırıkkale
A historic mosque in the town of Hasandede, built in 1605 and visited together with the tomb of Hasan Dede, who gave the town its name.
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Nature park
Karaahmetli Nature Park
Bahşılı, Kırıkkale
A nature park declared in 2009 on the shore of the Kapulukaya Dam Lake, with deep valleys, bird species and walking areas.
Machine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.Mosque
Kırıkkale Nur Mosque
Merkez, Kırıkkale
A large mosque and complex in central Kırıkkale, designed on the model of the style of Mimar Sinan's Selimiye Mosque in Edirne.
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Tomb (türbe)
Tomb of Koçubaba
Balışeyh, Kırıkkale
The tomb of Koçu Baba, a Turkmen sage respected in the Bektashi tradition, in the village of Koçubaba attached to Balışeyh.
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Museum
MKE Silahsan Weapons Museum
Merkez, Kırıkkale
A special museum on the grounds of the MKE Weapons Factory, displaying Ottoman and European-made weapons from the 15th to the 20th century.
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Mosque
Şeyh Şami Mosque and Tomb
Sulakyurt, Kırıkkale
A mosque commissioned in the 15th century by Şeyh Şami, considered the founder of Sulakyurt, containing his tomb.
Machine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.Cave
Sulu Mağara (Watery Cave)
Keskin, Kırıkkale
A three-level cave about 285 meters long near Keskin, partly natural and partly an ancient mine gallery.
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Cultural center
Taş Mektep (Hacı Taşan Art House)
Keskin, Kırıkkale
A historic school building made of red Ankara stone; today used as an art house in the name of the folk poet Hacı Taşan.
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Bridge
Yahşihan Historic Iron Bridge
Yahşihan, Kırıkkale
A historic bridge over the Kızılırmak, built in the reign of Abdülhamid II and referred to as the first iron bridge in Anatolia.
Practical information
Machine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.- Note
- The MKE Weapons Museum is inside the factory grounds; prior permission is required to visit
- Climate
- Continental; hot, dry summers and cold winters
- Best time
- April–June and September–October
- Getting there
- About 75 km to Ankara; Ankara–Sivas high-speed train line and Kırıkkale Station; intercity bus terminal
- Getting around
- The city center is compact; a private vehicle is recommended for archaeological sites in the districts and villages