Where is Ulucanlar Prison Museum? History of Ulucanlar Prison Museum

Ankara Central Closed Prison and Detention Center or Ulucanlar Prison is a prison that operated between 1925 and 2006 in Ulucanlar district of Altındağ district of Ankara. The project of restoring Ulucanlar Prison, which has an important place in Turkish political and literary life, and transforming it into a museum and culture and art center was given to Altındağ Municipality. The restoration work started in 2009 was completed in 2010.

History of Ulucanlar Prison Museum

The prison, which was established in a building built in 1923 to serve as a military depot, began to be used as a prison after the renovations made in 1925.

Deniz Gezmiş, Yusuf Aslan and Hüseyin İnan, one of the leading names of the 68 generation, were executed under the poplar tree in the prison courtyard on May 6, 1972. The first executions of the 1980 Revolution took place in this prison with the execution of left-wing Necdet Adalı and right-wing Mustafa Pehlivanoğlu on the night of October 8th. The death penalty given to Erdal Eren on 13 December 1980 was executed here.

In prison, such as Cüneyt Arcayürek, Mahmut Alınak, Fakir Baykurt, Hatip Dicle, Orhan Doğan, Bülent Ecevit, Yılmaz Güney, Nâzım Hikmet, Yaşar Kemal, Yavuz Öbekci, Selim Sadak, Sırrı Sakık, Kemal Tahir, Metin Toker, Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu and Leyla Zana Many famous prisoners and convicts remained.

During the Operation Return to Life, launched on September 29, 1999, 10 people died in prison and nearly 100 people were injured.

Ulucanlar Prison was closed on 1 July 2006. It was later restored and turned into a museum.

Where is Ulucanlar Prison Museum?

Ulucanlar Prison Museum is located within the borders of Ankara province. The museum can be easily reached by walking 10-15 minutes from Ankara Castle. Citizens who are thinking of visiting Ankara Castle can visit the castle first and then visit Ulucanlar Prison Museum.