ANITKABİR 4K | ATA'YI ZİYARET | The Mausoleum of Atatürk, Ankara Turkey | ATATURK'S MAUSOLEUM
Recorded on 21st April 2021

Anıtkabir (literally, "memorial tomb") is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey. It is located in Ankara and was designed by architects Professor Emin Onat and Assistant Professor Ahmet Orhan Arda, whose proposal beat 48 other entries from several countries in a competition held by the Turkish Government in 1941 for a "monumental tomb" for Atatürk.

The site is also the final resting place of İsmet İnönü, the second President of Turkey, who was interred there after he died in 1973. His tomb faces the Atatürk Mausoleum, on the opposite side of the Ceremonial Ground.

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

An outstanding soldier, commander, reformer, statesman and nation-builder—Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. To understand how Atatürk’s legacy is 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 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.

There are four main parts to Anıtkabir: the Road of Lions, the Ceremonial Plaza, the Hall of Honor (location of Atatürk's tomb) and the Peace Park that surrounds the monument.

Road of Lions
The approach to the monument is a 262 m (860 ft)-long pedestrian walkway that is lined on both sides by twelve pairs of lions carved in a style like the Hittite archaeological finds. The lions represent 24 Oghuz Turkic Tribes and are shown seated to simultaneously represent both power and peace. A five centimeter gap separates the paving stones on the Road of Lions to ensure that visitors take their time and observe respectful behavior on their way to Atatürk's tomb.

Ceremonial Plaza
The Ceremonial Plaza is situated at the end of the Lions Road. The area is 129 m (423 ft) long and 84 m (276 ft) wide and was designed to accommodate 15,000 people. The floor is decorated with 373 rug and kilim (Turkish carpet) patterns, and is made of travertine in various colors.

Hall of Honor

The symbolic sarcophagus of Atatürk's tomb inside the Hall of Honor.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev laying a wreath at the sarcophagus of Atatürk's tomb inside the Hall of Honor.

Guards at Anıtkabir
The Hall of Honor is the iconic symbol of Anıtkabir and the location of Atatürk's tomb. The structure is 41.65 m × 57.35 m (137 ft × 188 ft) in plan and rises to a height of 17 m (56 ft), with the columns themselves measuring 14.4 m (47 ft).

Atatürk's tomb is situated right under the symbolic 40-ton sarcophagus in the ground floor of The Hall of Honor, and Atatürk's body is buried below this in a special Tomb Room in the basement level. The room has an octagonal plan in Seljuk and Ottoman architectural styles, and its pyramidal ceiling is inlaid with gold mosaics.

Peace Park
The park that surrounds the monument is called a Peace Park in honor of Atatürk's famous expression "Peace at home, peace in the world." It contains around 50,000 decorative trees, flowers and shrubs in 104 varieties, donated from around 25 countries.


3 Things To Do In Anıtkabir
Write down your emotions and thoughts to the memorial book.
Buy some gifts from the gift shop in the exit of the museum.
Watch Atatürk’s life in the visual hall from the exhibiton of photographs and paintings.

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