Column of Julian (Belkıs Minaret)

Description

The Column of Julian (Belkıs Minaret) is a monumental Roman column in Ulus, believed to have been erected to commemorate Emperor Julian’s visit to Ankara.

Story

Although the Column of Julian is commonly called Belkıs Minaret by locals, it is in fact one of the most striking monuments that carry Ankara’s Roman past into the present. Rising near the junction of Anafartalar Avenue and Çankırı Street in Ulus, this solitary column stands like a marker from another era in the middle of busy city life. Many people who pass by assume it is just an old stone pillar; yet it is associated with the 4th‑century journey of the Roman Emperor Julian to the province of Galatia, that is, to present‑day Ankara. According to historical sources, Julian stayed in Ankara during his Persian campaign and turned the city into an important stop on the imperial route. The column is thought to have been erected to honor this visit. The structure, about 15 meters high, consists of a shaft resting on a base and a capital that was probably more ornate in the past but has reached us in a much simpler form. From the traces on its surface, it is clear that the column has been exposed both to natural weathering and to human intervention over time. The name Belkıs Minaret emerged when, in the Middle Ages and the Ottoman period, the original function of the column was forgotten and it began to be perceived together with surrounding buildings. In Ankara, historical structures were often given legendary or religiously evocative names, so people likened this Roman remnant to a minaret and linked it with various stories. In this way, the column came to embody both the legacy of ancient Rome and the city’s oral tradition in a single structure. For visitors, one of the most intriguing aspects of the Column of Julian is the contrast it forms with the modern fabric around it. On one side there are commercial buildings, on the other traffic and the everyday rush; yet the column maintains its calm and timeless stance amid all this movement. At different hours of the day, light falls on the shaft in changing angles, turning the stone a softer tone in the morning and a sharper, more defined hue at noon. When you come close and examine the worn surface, the subtle curves and the joints between stone blocks, you can read the marks of surviving for more than 1,600 years. Today, with the help of information panels and modest landscaping around it, the Column of Julian offers a short but intense historical pause. For those exploring Ulus, visiting Ankara Castle or the Roman Baths, stopping here provides a chance to better grasp the city’s layered history. Even a brief break is enough to sense that behind this single column lies a long past filled with empires, campaigns, beliefs and folk tales.

Visit Tips

• When visiting the Julianus Column, prefer the morning or evening hours to take the best photos; daylight highlights the details of this monument better.
• You can take a walk around the area surrounding the monumental column and seize the opportunity to explore the historical structures nearby.
• During your visit, you can take a break at local cafes to sip your Turkish coffee or tea and better feel the atmosphere of the surroundings.
• You can make your visit more meaningful by conducting prior research to learn about the history and significance of the monument.

Photos