ATATÜRK: ANITKABİR

    The life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the great leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder of the Republic of Turkey, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, lasted 57 years, with his war to gain the independence of the Turkish homeland and the reforms he carried out to bring the Turkish nation to the level of modern civilization, and the Great Leader was born on November 10, 1938. has passed into eternity.

    Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is a great leader who made Turkey a member of modern civilization with all its institutions and has become a part of human history. The idea of ​​building a mausoleum that would represent his greatness in every aspect and reflect his principles and reforms as well as his thoughts on modernization, emerged as the common wish of the Turkish nation in the deep sadness of losing Atatürk, and it was decided to build it.
   
    RASATTEPE (ANITTEPE)

    Anıttepe was named Rasattepe because there was an observation station before Anıtkabir was built.
On this hill, there were tumuli (grave structures) belonging to the Phrygian civilization, which established a state in Anatolia in the 12th century BC. After it was decided to build Anıtkabir in Rasattepe, archaeological excavations were carried out to remove these tumuli. The artifacts unearthed from these tumuli are exhibited in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum.

    SECTIONS OF ANITKABIR:


    A- PEACE PARK:     Anıtkabir; Inspired by Ataturk's motto "Peace at Home, Peace in the World", it rises within the Peace Park, which was created with saplings brought from various foreign countries and some regions of Turkey.

    Various from Afghanistan, USA, Germany, Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, India, Iraq, England, Spain, Israel, Sweden, Italy, Japan, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, Norway, Portugal, Yugoslavia and Greece Trees and saplings were brought. Today, there are approximately 48,500 ornamental trees, shrubs and ornamental plants of 104 different species in the Peace Park.

    B- MONUMENT BLOCK:

    Anıtkabir Monument Block consists of three parts.

1- Road of Lions: 2- Ceremonial Square: 3- Mausoleum:     When you enter Anıtkabir from the Tandoğan gate, you can reach the wide stairs with 26 steps at the beginning of the Road of Lions from the road running through the Peace Park. Right at the top of the stairs, there are the Independence and Freedom Towers facing each other.

    There are ten towers within the Anıtkabir building complex, placed with symmetry in mind. These towers were given names that represent lofty concepts that had a great impact on the formation of our nation and state. The towers are similar to each other in terms of plan and structure. Almost square 12 x14 x7.20 m. Built on a rectangular plan, the towers are covered with pyramid-shaped roofs. On the tops of the roofs there is a bronze spear tip seen in old Turkish tents. Geometric ornaments taken from old Turkish rug patterns,

    In addition, on the inner walls of the towers, there is a composition related to the name of that tower and Atatürk's aphorisms.

    C- INDEPENDENCE TOWER:     In the relief on the inner walls of the Independence Tower at the right end of the road with lions, there is an eagle figure perched on a rock next to a young man standing and holding a sword with both hands. The eagle is depicted as a symbol of power, independence and independence in mythology and Seljuk art. The young man holding the sword represents the Turkish nation defending independence. The relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu.

    In addition, Atatürk's words about independence appear as a writing border on the walls of the tower:

    "While our nation seemed to end with the most terrible destruction, the voice of our ancestors, who called their children to revolt against their captivity, rose in our hearts and called us to the last War of Independence." (1921)

    "Life means fighting, fighting. Success in life is definitely possible by gaining success in war." (1927)

    "We are a nation that wants life and independence, and we disregard our lives for that reason alone." (1921)

    "There is no such principle as begging for mercy and mercy. The Turkish nation, Turkey's future children, should not forget this for a moment." (1927)

    "This nation has not lived, cannot and will not live without independence, either independence or death." (1919)

Inside the tower, there is a model of Anıtkabir and illuminated panels promoting Anıtkabir.

    D- HÜRRİYET TOWER:     In the relief inside the Hürriyet Tower, located at the left end of the Road of Lions; The figure of an angel holding a paper in his hand and a horse rearing up next to the angel are depicted. The angel figure symbolizes the sanctity of independence and the paper in his hand "Declaration of Freedom". The horse figure is a symbol of freedom and independence. The relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu.
The following words of Atatürk about freedom are written on the walls of the tower.

    "The essence is for the Turkish nation to live as a respectable and honorable nation. This principle can only be achieved by having full independence. A nation that lacks independence, no matter how rich and abundant it is, cannot be entitled to anything higher than being a servant in the face of civilized humanity." (1927)

    "In my opinion, the permanent existence of honor, dignity, honesty and humanity in a nation is definitely possible if that nation has freedom and independence."
"It is national sovereignty on which freedom, equality and justice are based."
"We are a nation that has been a symbol of freedom and independence throughout our entire historical life."

    Inside the tower, there is a photo exhibition showing the construction works of Anıtkabir and stone samples used in construction.

      In front of the Independence Tower, there is a statue group consisting of three women dressed in national clothes. Two of these women on the sides are holding a thick wreath that reaches all the way to the ground. The wreath made of sheaves of wheat represents our fertile land. The woman on the left is praying for God's mercy on Atatürk with the bowl in her hand, while the woman in the middle is crying, covering her face with her hand.

    This trio group expresses that Turkish women are proud, dignified and determined even in the deep pain of Ataturk's death. The sculpture group is the work of Hüseyin Özkan.

    F- MALE SCULPTURE GROUP:     There is a statue group consisting of three men in front of the Hürriyet Tower. While the man on the right represents the Turkish soldier with his helmet and thick hood on his head, Turkish youth and intellectuals are represented next to him with his book in his hand, and a little behind him is represented the Turkish peasant in local clothes. The deep pain on the faces of all three statues, as well as the unique dignity and high will power of the Turkish nation, are expressed. The sculpture group is the work of Hüseyin Özkan.
   
    G- LION ROAD:     262 m. It was built to prepare the visitors for the supreme presence of Atatürk. There are 24 lion statues in a seated position on both sides of the long road. Due to the importance Atatürk gave to Turkish and Anatolian history, lion statues made in the artistic style of the Hittites, who established civilization in Anatolia, represent strength and tranquility. The sculptures are the work of Hüseyin Özkan.

    H- CEREMONY SQUARE:     The ceremony square located at the end of the road with lions, 129 x84.25 m. dimensions. The floor of this area with a capacity of 15,000 people; It is decorated with 373 carpet and rug patterns consisting of black, red, yellow and white travertine stones.

    I- MEHMETÇİK TOWER:     Mehmetçik Tower is located on the right at the end of the Aslanlı road. In the relief on the outer surface of the tower; It expresses the departure of the Mehmetçik, who is going to the front, from his home. In this composition, the sad but proud mother who puts her hand on the shoulder of her soldier son and sends him off to fight for the homeland is depicted. The relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu.

    On the walls of the tower are Atatürk's pithy words about Mehmetçik and Turkish women:

    "The heroic Turkish man understood the meaning of the Anatolian wars and fought with a new country." (1921)

    "Nowhere in the world, in any nation, is it possible to talk about women's work above the Anatolian peasant woman." (1923)

    "There can be no measuring unit for the sacrifices and heroism of the children of this nation."

Inside the tower; Various books and souvenirs about Anıtkabir and Atatürk are offered to visitors.

    J- ATATURK AND THE TURKISH REVOLUTION LIBRARY:    Located between Mehmetçik and Victory towers; There is the "Ataturk and Turkish Revolution Library" in the unit within the museum, library and Cultural Activities Directorate. As a "Specialized Library" containing books on Ataturk, the national struggle and revolutions in Turkish and foreign languages, it serves researchers and readers from all walks of life between 09.00-12.30 / 13.30-17.00 on weekdays.

    K- VICTORY TOWER:     The history of Atatürk's three most important victories and his concise words about the victory are written on the walls of the tower.

    Inside the tower, the gun carriage that took Atatürk's body from Istanbul Dolmabahçe Palace on 19 November 1938 and delivered it to the navy at Sarayburnu is exhibited.

    L- İSMET İNÖNÜ'S TOMB:     In the middle of the gallery formed by open-sided columns between the Peace and Victory Towers, there is the symbolic sarcophagus of İsmet İnönü, Atatürk's closest friend in arms, commander of the Western Front of the Turkish National Struggle and the second President, who died on December 25, 1973. The burial chamber is on the lower floor.

    İsmet İnönü was buried in Anıtkabir on 28 December 1973 by the decision of the Council of Ministers.

    M- PEACE TOWER:     On the inner wall of the tower, there is a relief composition expressing Atatürk's principle of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World". In this relief, peasants engaged in farming and a soldier figure protecting them by extending his sword are depicted next to them. This soldier symbolizes the Turkish army, which is the solid and safe source of peace. In this way, people continue their daily lives in the peaceful environment provided by the Turkish army. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman.

    On the walls of the tower are the following words of Atatürk about peace.

    "Citizens of the world must be educated to avoid envy, greed and hatred." (1935)

    "Peace at Home, Peace in the World."
"War is murder unless the life of the nation is in danger." (1923)

    Inside the tower, the Lincoln brand ceremonial and official cars used by Atatürk between 1935 and 1938 are exhibited.

    N- 23 APRIL TOWER:     There is a relief on the inner wall of the tower representing the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 23 April 1920. In this relief, 23 April 1920 is written on the paper held by the standing woman. In the woman's other hand, there is a key symbolizing the opening of our National Assembly. The relief is the work of Hakkı Atamulu.
Ataturk's pithy words about the opening of the parliament are displayed on the tower walls:

    "There was only one decision: to establish a new, independent Turkish State based on national sovereignty and not subject to any conditions.



    "Our point of view is that power, power, sovereignty and management should be given directly to the people and should be kept in the hands of the people."

    Atatürk's private Cadillac car, which he used between 1936 and 1938, is exhibited in the tower.

    O- FLAGPOLE:     The Turkish flag flies on a single-piece high pole in the middle of the entrance stairs to the 28-step ceremony square of Anıtkabir towards Çankaya. 33.53 m specially built in America. This tall pole is the highest of the single-piece steel flagpoles in Europe. 4 meters of the pole remain below the plinth. It was manufactured by Nazmi Cemal, an American citizen of Turkish origin living in America, in his own flagpole factory and gifted to Anıtkabir in 1946. In the relief on the base of the flagpole; The torch symbolizes Turkish civilization, the sword symbolizes offensive power, the helmet symbolizes defensive power, the oak branch symbolizes victory, and the olive branch symbolizes peace. The Turkish flag flies over our nation's supreme values ​​such as defending our homeland, winning victory, preserving peace and establishing civilization. The relief is the work of Kenan Yontuç.

    P- MİSAK-I NATIONAL TOWER:     The relief in this tower at the entrance of the museum symbolizes our unity as a single body. The relief consists of four hands placed on top of each other on a sword hilt. This composition expresses the national oath taken to save the Turkish homeland. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman.

    The following words of Ataturk about the National Pact are written on the walls of the tower:

   Bb "It is the iron hand of the nation that wrote the national oath, which is the general rule of our liberation, into the phase of history." (1923)

    "We want to live freely and independently within our national borders." (1921)

    "Nations that cannot find their national self are the prey of other nations." (1923)

    In the middle of the tower, there is a signature platform for the delegations participating in the ceremonies held in Anıtkabir to sign the special book. Photographs of important ceremonies held in Anıtkabir are also exhibited on the news boards in this tower, which is the entrance of the museum.

    R- ANITKABİR ATATÜRK MUSEUM:     In accordance with the conditions of the Anıtkabir Project Competition, the section between the National Pact and Revolution towers has been designated as a museum. For this purpose, Anıtkabir Atatürk Museum was opened on 21 June 1960. Here, the items used by Atatürk, the gifts and clothes given to him are exhibited.

    The museum also exhibits Atatürk's medals and decorations, as well as items belonging to Atatürk that were donated to the museum by his adopted children A. Afet İnan, Rukiye Erkin and Sabiha Gökçen.

    S- REVOLUTION TOWER:    The clothes worn by Atatürk are exhibited in this tower, which is a continuation of the museum. In the relief on the inner wall of the tower, a dying torch held by a weak, powerless hand symbolizes the collapsing Ottoman Empire. Another shining torch, raised towards the sky by a strong hand, symbolizes the new Republic of Turkey and the reforms made by Atatürk to bring the Turkish nation to the level of modern civilization. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman.

    The following words of Ataturk about the revolutions are written on the walls of the tower:

    "If a society does not walk towards the same goal with all its men and women, there is no technical or scientific possibility for it to progress and become civilized."

    "We take our inspiration directly from life, not from the sky and the unknown world."

    In this tower, which is used as the clothing section of the museum; Former rector of Anadolu University Prof. There is a life-sized wax statue of Atatürk made by Dr.Yılmaz Büyükerşen.

    T- REPUBLIC TOWER:

    On the walls of this tower, which is the entrance of the Art Gallery, there is Atatürk's following quote about the Republic.

    "Our greatest strength, our most reliable basis, is that we have grasped our national sovereignty and handed it over to the people through action, and have proven that we can keep it in the hands of the people."

    Inside the tower, models of Monastir Military Preparatory School, where Ataturk studied, Sivas and Erzurum Congress buildings and ITBMM buildings, and photographs from those periods are exhibited.

    U- ART GALLERY:     In this section located between the Republic Tower and the Defense of Rights Towers, Atatürk's private library is exhibited.

    There are oil paintings on the walls depicting Ataturk and foreign statesmen who visited him. These paintings are the work of painter Rahmi Pehlivanlı.
The gallery also has a cinevision section where documentary films about Atatürk, the War of Independence and Anıtkabir are shown.

    V- MÜDAFAA-İ HUKUK TOWER:     In the relief on the outer surface of this tower wall, Müdafaa-i Hukuk, which is the basis of our national unity in our War of Independence, is expressed. In the relief, he holds a sword in one hand and stretches out his other hand to the enemy who crossed our borders, saying "Stop!" A male figure is depicted saying. The great tree under the outstretched hand represents our homeland, and the male figure protecting it represents our nation united for the purpose of salvation. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman.
On the walls of the tower are Ataturk's words regarding the Defense of Law:

    "It is essential to make the national power effective and the national will dominant." (1919)

    "The nation will continue its life from now on,

    "History can never deny the blood, rights and existence of a nation." (1919)

    "The most fundamental, most distinct desire and belief that arose from and inspired the heart and conscience of the Turkish nation had become clear: Liberation." (1927)

    Periodic exhibitions on "Ataturk and the War of Independence" are held inside the tower. There is also a model of the Military Academy where Atatürk studied.

    Y- RELIEF ON THE BATTLE OF SAKARYA:     On the right of the composition, there is a young man, two horses, a woman and a man. In the first period of the war, they left their homes against enemy attacks and hit the road to defend their homeland. The young man on the right turned back, raised his left hand and clenched his fist and said to the enemies; "One day we will return and take our revenge on you," he says.
In front of this group of three, there is a chariot mired in mud, struggling horses, a man and two women trying to turn the wheel, and a standing brave man and a kneeling woman offering him a sword. This group of figures represents the period before the Battle of Sakarya started. On the left of this group, two women and a child sitting on the ground symbolize our people waiting for the Turkish army under enemy invasion. There is an angel of victory flying over these people and presenting a wreath to Commander-in-Chief Mustafa Kemal.

    At the end of the composition, the woman sitting on the ground symbolizes the motherland, the kneeling young man symbolizes the Turkish army that won the Battle of Sakarya, and the oak tree symbolizes victory. Motherland shows the oak tree, the symbol of the victory of the Turkish army. The relief is the work of İlhan Koman.

    Z- RELIEF ON THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BATTLE:     The group on the left of the composition, consisting of a peasant woman, a boy and a horse, represents the period of preparation for the war as a nation. In the next section; Ataturk stretched out one hand and said, "Armies, your first target is the Mediterranean, forward!" By saying this, he shows our armies the target. The angel in the front transmits Ata's command to distant horizons with his horn. In the next section, the relief represents the sacrifices and heroism of the Turkish army that carried out Ataturk's orders. A brave man grasping the flag in the hands of a fallen private and a soldier with a shield and a sword in his hands in the trench symbolize the attack of the Turkish army. In the front is the angel of victory calling the Turkish army with the Turkish flag in his hand. The relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu.

    AA- MAUSOLE:     The "oratory podium" is located in the middle of the 42-step stairs leading to the mausoleum, which is the most important part of Anıtkabir. The ceremonial square façade of the marble podium is decorated with circular geometric motifs, and in the middle is written Atatürk's words, "Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation." The lectern is the work of Kenan Yontuç.

    Mausoleum 72x52x17 m. It is built on a long rectangular plan with dimensions of 8 m. front and rear, and side facades of 14.40 m. It is surrounded by fourteen colonnades in height. On the mausoleum façade, on the left is Atatürk's address to Turkish youth, and on the right is his speech on the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Republic. The letters are written with gilding on stone relief.

    AB- HALL OF HONOR:     The hall of honor is entered through bronze doors. At the entrance, on the right is Atatürk's last message to the Turkish army dated 29 October 1938, and on the left is the condolence message to the Turkish nation dated 21 November 1938, published by the 2nd President İsmet İnönü upon Atatürk's death. These two inscriptions were written in 1981, the 100th anniversary of Atatürk's birth.

    Ataturk's symbolic sarcophagus is located in the niche with a large window right opposite the entrance. The sarcophagus stone is a single piece of red marble and weighs 40 tons. The section where the sarcophagus is located is covered with white Afyon marble. The floor of the hall of honor is covered with red, black, green and tiger skin marbles brought from Adana and Hatay, and the side walls from Afyon and Bilecik.

    The ceiling of the hall of honor, consisting of 27 beams, and the side gallery ceilings are decorated with mosaics. The height of the hall of honor is 17 m. There are 12 bronze torches, six each, on the side walls. The top of the mausoleum is covered with a flat lead roof.

    AC- GRAVE ROOM:     Atatürk's beloved body is located in a grave dug directly into the ground on the ground floor of the mausoleum. The burial chamber, located right under the symbolic sarcophagus in the hall of honor on the first floor of the mausoleum, has an octagonal plan in the Seljuk and Ottoman architectural styles, has a pyramidal cone, and its ceiling is decorated with mosaics with geometric motifs. Floor and walls was covered with black, red and white marble. There is a red marble sarcophagus in the middle of the burial chamber, facing the qibla. Around the marble sarcophagus, there are brass vases in which the soil sent from all provinces and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is placed.