Anıtkabir: The Turkish nation's window on its past and future

Sunday, September 10, 2006

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

YASEMIN DOBRA-MANÇO

ISTANBUL - Turkish Daily News

  An outstanding soldier, commander, reformer, statesman and nation-builder -- Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. To understand how Atatürk's legacy is still a part of contemporary Turkish society, it is essential to understand how his spirit is not only very much alive but is deeply embedded in the Turkish national consciousness. The reason for this is not because of what Atatürk did to keep the Turkish nation together, but also for what he bequeathed 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 a national unity which he helped to forge and a victorious fight to secure liberty, sovereignty and independence. These achievements gave rise to an enduring respect and gratitude, still celebrated in the daily life of the nation. Atatürk's courage and reform-minded ideas continue to inspire new generations and this is the reason Atatürk is still an influential leader today.

  The impressive mausoleum (Anıtkabır) at Anıttepe is thus not only a commemorative site which pays tribute to a great national leader, but also a symbol of Turkey's existence and a window on 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 annual increase in the number of visitors is evidence of this devotion.

Anıtkabir: A tribute to Atatürk and 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 befitting of Turkey's founder and first president, and its great leader in the Turkish War of Independence. The site that was considered most appropriate was Rasattepe, a hill overlooking Ankara, the Turkish capital.

  Atatürk died at 9:05 a.m. on Nov. 10, 1938 in Istanbul at Dolmabahçe Palace, and the nation still comes to a halt to honor him each year at this time. After his death, weeping crowds of all ages came from near and far for over a week to pay their last respects. On Nov. 19 the coffin was carried in a procession to Sarayburnu from where it was taken onto the battleship Yavuz to be transported to İzmit. 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 through the country on its way to Ankara to enable mourners to say goodbye.

  The coffin arrived in Ankara on Nov. 20 and an official funeral was held on Nov. 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 that had been selected as a temporary resting place until a Mausoleum for Atatürk could be constructed. Fifteen years to the day of his death, at 9:05 a.m., Nov. 10, 1953, Atatürk's remains were taken from the museum in a Turkish flag-draped coffin to be interred at Anıtkabir.

  The mausoleum and surrounding area are adorned with statues and reliefs 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. İnönü's actual grave is located beneath a decorative sarcophagus marking its location.

  The Atatürk War of Independence Museum, located in Anıtkabır, was opened to the public on Aug. 26, 2002, after the original museum, 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. Another new section is devoted to large-scale paintings and portraits of Atatürk's companions and military commanders. In the third new section, the War of Independence and early years of Republic are presented in over 18 galleries. The fourth section of the museum is based on Atatürk's private library and includes interactive touch-screen exhibits. The main entrance of Anıtkabir and the museum is located on Anit Caddesi in Tandoğan.

History of the construction of Anıtkabir:

  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 Professor Emin Onat and Assistant Professor Orhan Arda, since their design was thought to successfully express the national will and aspirations of the Turkish people and to be the most suitable for the area.

  The construction of Anıtkabir began on Oct. 9, 1944 and was completed in 1953. 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 Turkey thrive in harmony upon the hill below Anıtkabir. The Peace Park therefore seeks to promote these universal ideals which serve as an example to the other nations and peoples of the world.

The mausoleum and hall of honor:

  The mausoleum is the most prominent part of Anıtkabir with an imposing open air 42-step staircase which leads 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 14.4-meter-high columns along the front and back, with fourteen columns at the sides. The period of Turkish architecture between 1940 and 1950 -- to which it belongs -- is characterized by such 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 famous inscriptions, guarded by two soldiers. 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 Gençlige Hitabi”).

  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 İsmet İnönü 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, which 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, lies Atatürk's symbolic sarcophagus. A single piece of marble weighing 40 tons, 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, the side walls 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 crypt where Atatürk's body is buried is located on the ground floor directly under the symbolic sarcophagus 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 orientated to the direction of Mecca. Brass vases holding soil from all the 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 are presented at a display area in the Atatürk and the War of Independence Museum.

Symbols of strength and continuity:

  The large depictions of heroic events and historic battles, 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, 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 made up of sheaves of grain that reaches to the ground, 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 centre has covered her face and is a symbol of national mourning.

  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 will power 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 have made untold sacrifices today and in the past.

Lion road and Ceremony Square:

  The path that 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 upon this path, flanked by regal lion statues, the visitor contemplates the meaning of his or her visit.

  There are 24 seated lions on both sides of the 262-meter-long road. These statues are also the work of 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 selected because 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 comes into view. 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 Nov. 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 steel flag pole in Europe when it was erected in 1953 and was made in America. It is over 33 meters long and weighs 4,850 kg. Four meters of the flag pole lie underground beneath the pedestal. It 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 and gift shop:

  Another important section is the Library of Anıtkabir 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 Defense of Rights. Books, CDs and a range of other 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).

  PHOTO 1: The month of August holds great significance in terms of the history of the Turkish Republic, founded in 1923 after the end of the Turkish War of Independence. Aug. 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.

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