Anıtkabir

Anıtkabir

Ankara - The capital city of Turkey has an ancient history and modern buildings. Anıtkabir, the burial place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, is one of the best places you can visit in Ankara. On every national holidays and Atatürk's death anniversary, Anıtkabir has over 430.000 visitors.

10 November-Atatürk's Death anniversary

 

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the modern Turkish Republic, is called "Father of the Turks" (that is literally what "Atatürk" means in Turkish). He led the resistance fight against foreign invaders who hoped to control Turkey after World War I. The Turkish Republic was established on October 29, 1923, on secular democratic principles that guaranteed people freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press. Atatürk introduced the Latin alphabet into Turkish, encouraged education, and brought the nation into the modern world. He forged ties with other countries that before had not known Turkey. Atatürk died in 1938, and his memorial museum and mausoleum, Anıtkabir, was finished in 1953. Using materials from all over Turkey such as different colored marble, the huge complex was set above Peace Park which features trees from all over the world and is inspired by Atatürk's famous saying, "Peace at home, peace in the world."

Anıtkabir's front view at night. Soldier is doing his watch

You can begin your tour of Anıtkabir at Lion Road, a marble path bordered by 24 lion statues, and then explore the rectangle complex of buildings which house various museums, libraries, art galleries, towers, and life-like recreations of historic battles. You can see Atatürk's cars, clothes, manuscripts, pens, and even his amazing collection of swords decorated with gold and gem-studded hilts, given to him by kings and presidents from all over the world. You can walk acros the massive courtyard by a tall Turkish flag and see real Turkish soldiers keeping watch inside glass guard posts. Every day the soldiers march across the courtyard and down Lion Road.

The mausoleum that features Atatürk's tomb is the most impressive place of all. Torches line the walls, always lit, as sunlight pours through high windows, glistening off marble floors. Pause for a moment at a simple wreath and read Atatürk's words etched into nearby stone:

“Sovereignty is without doubt, the Nation’s.”