Located in the Çankaya district of Ankara, Anıtkabir is not just a mausoleum, but also a concrete manifestation of a nation’s gratitude and respect. The resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Anıtkabir is one of the most important historical and touristic sites in Turkey, hosting millions of visitors every year.
History of Anıtkabir
After Atatürk’s death on November 10, 1938, various projects and proposals were submitted for his mausoleum. In an international competition held in 1941, the design of Emin Onat and Orhan Arda was selected first. The construction of Anıtkabir began in 1944 and was completed 9 years later in 1953.
Architectural Features of Anıtkabir
Anıtkabir consists of three main sections: the Lion Road, the Ceremony Area, and the Mausoleum.
Lion Road: The 262-meter-long Lion Road is the main axis of the entrance to Anıtkabir. There are 24 lion statues on both sides of the road. These statues represent the 24 Oghuz tribes.
Ceremony Area: The Ceremony Area, located at the end of the Lion Road, has a capacity of 50 thousand people. In the middle of the area are the stairs leading to Atatürk’s mausoleum.
Mausoleum: The Mausoleum is the structure located behind the Ceremony Area and houses Atatürk’s mausoleum. The principle of “Peace at Home, Peace in the World” is written on the tomb.
Places to See in Anıtkabir
In addition to the Lion Road, Ceremony Area, and Mausoleum, Anıtkabir also features many important structures and spaces such as the Misak-ı Milli Tower, Nutuk Tower, Independence Tower, Peace Park, and the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum.
Importance of Anıtkabir
Anıtkabir is more than just Atatürk’s mausoleum; it is a space that represents the founding principles and values of the Republic of Turkey. Visiting Anıtkabir is an important opportunity to understand and perpetuate Atatürk’s ideas and ideals.
Who is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk?
Born in 1881: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born in 1881 in Thessaloniki, Ottoman Empire. His father was Ali Rıza Efendi, and his mother was Zübeyde Hanım. He had four siblings who died at a young age.
Education: He started his primary education at Hafız Mehmet Efendi’s neighborhood school. Later, he transferred to Şemsi Efendi Mektebi. After losing his father, he stayed with his uncle for a while and returned to Thessaloniki to continue his education. He studied at Selanik Mülkiye Rüştiyesi and Selanik Askerî Rüştiyesi. He received the name “Kemal” from his mathematics teacher, Captain Mustafa Efendi.
Military Career: He was educated at the Military College and the War Academy. He was closely interested in the problems of the country and the nation and was known as an enlightened and progressive officer. For this reason, he was detained for a while. In 1905, he was assigned to the 5th Army in Damascus. In the same year, he founded the Vatan ve Hürriyet Cemiyeti (Society for Fatherland and Freedom). In 1907, he received the rank of Kolağası (Senior Captain).
Leader of the War of Independence: After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following World War I, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk went to Anatolia to start the War of Independence. After landing in Samsun, he organized the Amasya General Circular, the Erzurum Congress, and the Sivas Congress. On April 23, 1920, he founded the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).
Founder of the Republic of Turkey: After the victory of the War of Independence, he declared the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923, and was elected as the first president.
Atatürk’s Reforms: Atatürk carried out many reforms to make the Republic of Turkey a modern, democratic, and secular nation-state. These reforms include:
- Abolition of the Sultanate (November 1, 1922)
- Declaration of the Republic (October 29, 1923)
- Abolition of the Caliphate (March 3, 1924)
- Tevhid-i Tedrisat Law (March 3, 1924)
- Hat Revolution (November 25, 1925)
- Adoption of the Civil Code (February 17, 1926)
- Alphabet Revolution (November 1, 1928)
Death of Atatürk: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk passed away on November 10, 1938, in Istanbul.
Atatürk’s Legacy: Atatürk is considered the “Great Leader” by the Turkish nation. He transformed Turkey into a modern nation-state with his reforms and principles and revolutions. Atatürk’s legacy continues to be an inspiration for the Turkish nation today.
Atatürk’s Personality: Atatürk was an intelligent, hardworking, determined, and patriotic leader. He also had a visionary and reformist perspective. Atatürk was ready to make every sacrifice for the independence and development of the Turkish nation.
Atatürk’s Influence: Atatürk’s ideas and reforms have influenced not only Turkey but also the whole world. Atatürk has been an inspiration to many nations living under colonial rule.
In Memory of Atatürk: Many monuments and museums have been built in memory of Atatürk. In addition, Atatürk Commemoration Day and Atatürk Week are celebrated every year on November 10.
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