Anıtkabir: The Turkish Nation’s Window On Its Past And Future
The mausoleum is physical evidence of the enduring principles, vision and
present-day democratic and secular realities of the foundations upon which
Turkey is built
By Yasemin Dobra-Manço
An outstanding soldier, commander, reformer, statesman
and nation-builder—Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. To understand how Atatürk’s legacy is
very much a part of contemporary Turkish society, it is essential to understand
how his spirit is not only very much alive, but deeply embedded in the Turkish
national consciousness. The reason for this is not only because of what Atatürk
did to keep the Turkish nation together, but also for what he bequeath the
Turkish people—a modern day nation with the laws and principles needed to
democratically govern future generations.
The trust placed in his leadership during the darkest days of Turkish
history, was rewarded by the national unity which he helped forge,
and the victorious fight to secure liberty,
sovereignty and independence. These achievements gave rise to enduring
respect and gratitude which won the hearts of the people, and are still
celebrated in the daily life of the nation.
Atatürk’s courage and reform-minded
ideas also continue to inspire a new generation, and is the reason why
Atatürk today is still an influential leader.
The impressive Mausoleum at Anıttepe is thus not only a commemorative site
which pays tribute to a great national leader, but is also a symbol of
Turkey’s existence and a window
onto Turkey’s future.
The mausoleum is physical evidence of the enduring
principles, vision and present-day democratic and secular realities of the
foundations upon which Turkey was built.
Lastly, the Mausoleum is not only a testament of
the living legacy of Atatürk, but is also an affirmation of the devotion of the
Turkish nation to protect and transmit his ideals. The increase in the annual
number of visitors is evidence of this devotion.
ANITKABIR: A TRIBUTE TO ATATÜRK & THE TURKISH NATION
The Mausoleum of Atatürk was created as a result of the
common desire of the Turkish people to build a "monumental mausoleum" that would
be befitting Turkey’s founder and first president,
and its great leader of the Turkish War of Independence. The site that was
considered most appropriate was Rasattepe, upon a hill overlooking Ankara, the
Turkish capital.
Atatürk died at five past nine in the morning on November 10 1938 in Istanbul
at Dolmabahçe Palace (the nation comes to a halt to honor him each year at this
time). Weeping crowds of all ages came from near and far for over a week to pay
their last respects to Atatürk. On November 19 the coffin was taken in
procession to Sarayburnu from where it was taken onto the battleship Yavuz so
that it could be transported to Izmit. From this city on the Asian shore of the
Sea of Marmara, Atatürk’s coffin was placed on a specially designated train
which traveled at a slow speed throughout the country on its way to Ankara to
enable mourners to pay their respects.
Once the coffin arrived in Ankara on November 20, an
official funeral was held on November 21. Dignitaries from
many countries attended Atatürk’s state funeral, as the world paid tribute to
Turkey’s extraordinary leader. The coffin was moved in a solemn
procession by gun-carriage from the Grand National Assembly to the
Ethnographical Museum which had been selected as a temporary resting place until
a Mausoleum for Atatürk could be constructed. At five past nine on November 10,
1953, Atatürk’s remains were taken from the Ethnographical Museum in a Turkish
flag-draped coffin for burial at Anıtkabir.
The Mausoleum and surrounding area is adorned with
statues and relief's created by many of Turkey's talented artists. The
site is also the final resting place of İsmet İnönü, the second President of
Turkey and Commander of the Western Front, who was interred there after he died
in 1973. His tomb in the West Arcade, faces the Atatürk Mausoleum, on the
opposite side of the Ceremonial Ground. The grave of İnönü is located beneath
the sarcophagus.
Anıtkabir adjoins the Atatürk and the War of Independence Museum,
which was opened to the public on August 26, 2002 after the original museum,
which was established in 1960, was expanded. The museum exhibits the personal
belongings of Atatürk, uniforms, medals, and gifts presented to him by foreign
statesmen. New exhibition areas include room-size panoramas re-enacting historic
battles using special techniques for sound and three dimensional effects,
original wartime artifacts, and life-size models. One new section is devoted to
large scale paintings and portraits of Atatürk's companions and military
commanders. Another section includes thematic exhibitions on the War of
Independence and early years of the Turkish republic, which are presented in 18
galleries. The fourth section of the museum is the Private Library of Atatürk,
which includes touch-screen kiosks. The main entrance
of Anıtkabir and the museum is located on Anıt Caddesi in Tandoğan.
HISTORY OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF ANITKABİR
After Atatürk passed away, a special committee was established by the
government of the time to choose the location for Anıtkabir. As a consequence of
its studies, the commission decided to build the Mausoleum on Rasattepe. After
an international competition was held in 1941, a jury evaluated 47 design
projects that were submitted from around the world. The competition was won by
Turkish architects Prof. Emin Onat and Asst. Prof. Dr. Orhan Arda, since their
design successfully expressed the national will and aspirations of the Turkish
people, and was most suitable for the area.
The construction of Anıtkabir began on October 9, 1944 and was completed in
1953. On November 10, 1953 the body of Atatürk was taken from the Ethnographical
Museum, which had been his temporary resting place for 15 years, and was buried
in his eternal resting place at Anıtkabir.
Anıtkabir covers an area of 750,000 square meters and is divided into two
parts; The Peace Park and The Monument Block. Reflecting the essence of
Atatürk's famous phrase, "Peace at home, peace in the world," plants and trees
from different regions of the world and parts of Turkey thrive in harmony upon
this hill where Anıtkabir rises above the Peace Park. The Peace Park therefore
seeks to promote these universal ideals which serve as an example to other
nations and people of the world.
The Mausoleum is the most prominent part of Anıtkabir with
an imposing outdoor stairway of 42 steps which lead up to the entrance. These
steps are the most overwhelming section of Anıtkabir as visitors pay their
respects and enter into deep contemplation. As one
approaches, he or she soon stands before a marble dais
where Atatürk's well-known declaration is inscribed, "Sovereignty
unconditionally and unrestrictedly belongs to the nation." The Mausoleum
has a rectangular plan and is surrounded by eight towering columns of 14.40
meters high along the front and back, with fourteen columns at the sides.
This period of Turkish Architecture between 1940 and 1950 is
characterized by monumental symmetrical buildings. In addition, Anıtkabir
displays Seljuk and Ottoman architectural and decorative features.
Before the visitor enters the Hall of Honor through its stately bronze doors,
to the right and left are two famous inscriptions where two soldiers who have
pledged to defend the nation stand. On the right are powerful statements from
Atatürk’s speech on the 10th anniversary of the republic.
Displayed on the left of the entrance is his inspiring address
to the youth of Turkey (“Atatürk’ün Gençliğe Hitabı”).
Once the visitor enters inside the Hall of Honor, all eyes fall upon
the “Letter of Condolence to the Turkish Nation,” a stirring
proclamation to the nation on the day of Atatürk’s
funeral made by Turkey’s second president Ismet Inonu
which states: “Peerless hero Atatürk! The fatherland
is grateful to you.” Across the Hall of Honor to the
right is Atatürk’s last message on October 29 1938 to the Turkish army, who is
entrusted to protect the ideals and principles by which the nation was founded.
Both inscriptions, extremely moving for young and old alike, were added in 1981
on the occasion of the centennial of Atatürk’s birth. Upon entering the
Mausoleum the visitor is overcome by quiet personal reflection.
Inside the niche of the window just across the entrance, there is the
symbolic sarcophagus of Atatürk. The sarcophagus is a single piece of 40 tons of
marble, brought from Osmaniye. The base of the sarcophagus is covered with white
Afyon marble. The floor of the hall is covered with marble brought from Adana
and Hatay, and the side walls are covered with marble brought from Afyon and
Bilecik (having red, black, green and tiger pelt colors). The ceiling of the
Hall of Honor and ceilings of the galleries are supported by 27 beams which are
decorated with golden gilt mosaics consisting of Turkish carpet and textile
motifs. The height of this grand and commanding ceiling is 17 meters. There are
12 torches on the walls.
THE TOMB ROOM
The grave and room where Atatürk’s honored body is buried is located on the ground floor and is situated directly under the symbolic sarcophagus placed on the floor above in the Hall of Honor. The room layout conforms to an octagonal plan in Seljuk and Ottoman architectural styles. The pyramidal ceiling is decorated with mosaics in geometrical patterns. The floor and walls are covered with designs of black, white, and red marble. In the center of the tomb room rests a red marble sarcophagus in the direction of Mecca. Brass vases which hold cherished soil from all provinces of Turkey, as well as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Azerbaijan, surround the sarcophagus. Although this room is not open to the public, live images of the room are presented at a display area in the Atatürk and the War of Independence Museum.
SYMBOLS OF STRENGTH & CONTINUITY
The large relief depictions of heroic events and historic battles, which
are located outdoors and in the Atatürk and the War of Independence Museum,
are a salute to the heroes of the Republic of Turkey. One example is the set of
statues of a group of three women, by Hüseyin Özkan, located in front of the
Tower of Independence. The women represent the common people and are wearing
traditional clothes. Two of these women are holding a large wreath that reaches
the ground and is made up of sheaves of grain, symbolizing Turkey’s fertile
land. The woman on the left holds a cup in her hand, asking in earnest for God’s
blessings for their great leader. The woman standing in the middle has covered
her face and is a symbol of national grief.
These statues seek to convey the strength of Turkish will amidst great grief
which was unparalleled in Turkish history. Though the women share an outpouring
of sorrow, they display gratitude, self-respect and the dignity that comes with
the recognition of all that was achieved and won. Despite the deep sorrow due to
Atatürk's death, the women also reflect the pride, serenity and determination of
Turkish women who made countless sacrifices in the struggle for national
liberation.
Another group of figures by the same artist is found across the path facing
the women. The statues of three men are located in front of the Tower of
Liberty. One figure in uniform and helmet represents the Turkish soldier,
to whom Turks are grateful for their past and present
sacrifices. The man next to him holding a book represents the Turkish
intellectual and youth, and the third man in local dress represents the Turkish
peasant. The Turkish nation's virtues, might, intellectual abilities, and great
power of will are expressed in their faces along with sorrow for the loss of
their leader. These symbols of
continuity are
a tribute to all those known and unknown, who today
and in the past, have made untold sacrifices.
LION ROAD & CEREMONY SQUARE
The path which leads to the Mausoleum plays an important role in the
contemplation of the meaning of Atatürk’s struggle to establish and build a
nation. While walking along this path amidst regal lion statues, the visitor
contemplates the meaning of his or her visit.
There are 24 seated lions on both sides of the 262 meters long road. These
statues are also the works by Hüseyin Özkan. In Turkish mythology, the lion
symbolizes power and endurance. The statues were made in the artistic style of
the Hittites, who once founded a civilization in Anatolia. The form of the lion
was thus selected due to the fact that Atatürk attached great importance to
Turkish and Anatolian history.
Both sides of the Lion Road are decorated with juniper trees and flowers. Due
to the height of the trees the Mausoleum can not be fully viewed until the end
of the road is reached—it is then that the monumental building has an
unforgettable impact upon the visitor as it becomes visible. The path leads into
“Ceremony Square” which has the capacity to hold 15,000 people. The ground is
decorated with 373 carpet and kilim motifs of various colors.
While one walks along the travertine stone path of lions, and upon the
ceremonial grounds, the visitor’s eyes focus on a Turkish flag flying in the
distance. The flag is continuously displayed at Anıtkabir except on November 10,
the anniversary of Atatürk’s death. The flag is in full view as the visitor
continues through the square and up the steps which lead to the Mausoleum.
Çankaya and the rest of the Turkish capital can also be seen
in the distance. The flag pole was the highest of steel flag poles
in Europe in 1953 and was made in America. It is over 33 meters long and weighs
4,850 kg. Four meters of the flag pole are underground beneath the pedestal. The
flag pole was presented as a gift to Anıtkabir in 1946 by an American citizen of
Turkish origin, Nazmi Cemal, who produced it in his factory.
LIBRARY, FILM ROOM & GIFT SHOP
Another important section is The Library of Anitkabir which contains books on Atatürk, the National Struggle, and reforms of the Turkish Republic. Reference material can be found in Turkish and in foreign languages. The facility serves as an "expert library" for researchers and readers on weekdays. Documentaries about Atatürk, Anıtkabir and the National Struggle are shown in the Documentary/Film Room in the Tower of Mehmetçik. The modern facility seats 60 people. A souvenir and gift shop is located in the Tower of the Defence of Rights. Books, CDs, and a range of items, and educational material on Atatürk, Anıtkabir and the War of Independence can be purchased at this store.
(Information used in this article was obtained from
publications by the Command of Anıtkabir and the Turkish General Staff )
www.tsk.mil.tr/anitkabir/mkataturk.htm
www.tsk.mil.tr/anitkabir/index.html
PHOTO: The month of August holds great significance in terms of the history of the Turkish Republic, which was founded in 1923 after the end of the Turkish War of Independence. August 30 commemorates the victory at the final battle in Dumlupınar in 1922 which led to the defeat of the invading Greek army. This official holiday is dedicated to the Turkish armed forces and honors all those who fought for liberty and sovereignty during the Turkish War of Independence.
August 2006