Ulucanlar Prison in Ankara serves as museum of political history

The Ulucanlar Prison in Ankara, originally constructed in 1925 as the first prison of the Republic of Turkey, now serves as a museum documenting significant eras of Turkish political history. The museum specifically highlights the period of the September 12, 1980, military coup and the stories of those held there, including death row inmates.

Throughout its 81-year history, the facility housed numerous prominent politicians, journalists, and writers. Notable figures include Bülent Ecevit, Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu, and Deniz Gezmiş, as well as literary figures such as Nazım Hikmet Ran and Necip Fazıl Kısakürek.

The prison was closed in 2006 and transferred to the Altındağ Municipality for restoration. Following efforts by Mayor Veysel Tiryaki, it officially opened as a museum on June 15, 2011, preserving the personal belongings and legacies of those impacted by the country's turbulent political shifts.