Polatlı is a district located in the west of Ankara province, notable for its historical and cultural heritage. Today, Polatlı has an economic structure born from the combination of agriculture and industry sectors, and is also an important settlement center with its cultural past.​

History

The oldest known traces of human settlement in Polatlı date back to 3000 BCE. The area where Polatlı's center is located today is situated around the ancient city of Gordion. This region has been under the rule of many civilizations such as the Phrygians, Persians, Alexander the Great, and the Roman and Byzantine Empires. Polatlı, which was incorporated into Ottoman lands in 1516 during the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim, gained district status on August 1, 1926, with law number 877.​

Geography and Climate

Polatlı is located in the Upper Sakarya section of the Central Anatolian Region and has developed on a slightly undulating plateau with alluvial soil. The region is under the influence of a continental climate; summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold and snowy. The annual average temperature is 11.6°C, and the annual precipitation is around 344 mm.​

Population and Demographics

As of 2024, the population of Polatlı is 130,515 people. 64,875 of this population are men, and 65,640 are women. The gender distribution of the population is almost equal; the ratio of men is 49.71%, and the ratio of women is 50.29%.​

Economy

Polatlı's economy has historically been based on agriculture. There is a total of 2,173,175 decares of agricultural land in the district; 383,675 decares of this is irrigated, and 1,789,500 decares is non-irrigated land. Among the most produced agricultural products are wheat, barley, sugar beet, melon, and onion. In addition, cattle, small ruminant, and poultry farming also hold an important place in the district's economy. In recent years, Polatlı has also shown development in the industrial sector. In the two organized industrial zones located in the district, land allocation opportunities of up to 1000 decares are offered to investors. This allows Polatlı to add an industrial city identity to its agricultural city identity.​

Museums and Historical Places

Ancient City of Gordion

Gordion, located near Yassıhöyük Village in Polatlı, is known as the capital of the Phrygian Civilization. The city is built above the confluence of the Sakarya River and Porsuk Stream and is currently 94 kilometers away from Ankara. Excavations carried out in Gordion provide important information about the lifestyle, art, and beliefs of the Phrygians.​

Gordion Museum

The Gordion Museum, located near the Ancient City of Gordion, was established in 1963. The museum exhibits artifacts found during excavations in the ancient city, introducing visitors to the cultural heritage of the Phrygian Civilization.​

^{Gordion Museum ( Ankara Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)}

Midas Tumulus

The Midas Tumulus, located near the Ancient City of Gordion, is a burial mound thought to belong to the Phrygian King Midas. The tumulus contains important examples of Phrygian art and provides visitors with information about the ancient period.​

Sakarya Victory Monument and Martyrs' Cemetery

The Sakarya Victory Monument, located in the Şehitler Kaşı area of Polatlı, was opened to visitors on October 28, 1973. The monument was erected in memory of the soldiers who were martyred during the Battle of Sakarya. The monument consists of a body, sculptures, and a museum. It starts from a hill with an elevation of 915 meters and narrows from the beginning, rising up to an elevation of 970 meters along a 420-step path. The columns on both sides of the path symbolize that the war was won against superior enemy forces.​

^{Sakarya Martyrs and Victory Monument Museum (Ankara Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)}

Kartaltepe Panoramic Museum

The Kartaltepe Panoramic Museum is located in Kartaltepe, an important point of the Battle of Sakarya. The museum offers a panoramic view of the war, allowing visitors to get a closer look at historical events.​

POTA Special Museum

The POTA (Polatlı Historical Sites Promotion Center) Special Museum, established by Polatlı Municipality, organizes various exhibitions to promote the district's historical and cultural heritage. The museum offers guidance and educational services for important areas such as the Ancient City of Gordion and the Battle of Sakarya.​

Culture and Cuisine

Polatlı's cuisine reflects the traditional flavors of the Central Anatolian Region. Onion, in particular, is a frequently used ingredient in the district's cuisine. During Turkish Cuisine Week events, special products belonging to Polatlı such as onion soup, stuffed onion, Gordion cookies, melon sherbet, beet molasses, and basil noodles were exhibited. These events are organized to promote Polatlı's gastronomic culture.