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Anıtkabir is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), the founder of the Turkish Republic. It’s located in Ankara and is one of the most visited sites in Turkey.
Anıtkabir was designed by Turkish architects Emin Onat (1908-1961) and Orhan Arda (1911-2003). The first stone was laid on October 9, 1944, and it was completed on September 1, 1953. All stone and marble was brought in from different parts of Turkey. The complex consists of three sections and a museum.
Peace Park
Anıtkabir is surrounded by Peace Park (Barış Parkı), named in honor of Atatürk’s famous quote on April 20, 1931, “Peace at home, peace in the world” (“Yurtta sulh, cihanda sulh”). Peace Park is 630,000 square meters in area and contains 104 species of trees, flowers, and shrubs. They were donated by 25 different countries and total over 50,000. The entire complex sits on Rasattepe, which translates to Observation Hill. At the time Anıtkabir was built, Rasattepe was a central location that could be seen from anywhere in Ankara.
Lion Road at Anıtkabir
The Lion Road (Aslanlı Yol) is the long pedestrian walkway leading to the tomb of Atatürk. A set of 26 steps leads up to the road, which extends to Ceremonial Plaza. It’s 262 meters (860 feet) long and paved with beige travertine from Kayseri. There are four rows of Virginia junipers planted along both sides, as well as roses.
The gaps between the paving stones are five centimeters, ensuring that visitors take their time and observe respectful behavior on their way to Atatürk’s tomb. At the end of the road, three steps lead up to Ceremonial Plaza.
Lion Sculptures
The Lion Road is named for the lion sculptures lining both sides. They were made by Turkish sculptor Hüseyin Anka Özkan (1909-2001). There are 24 in total, representing the 24 tribes of the Oghuz Turks as well as symbolizing power and tranquility.
The lions are arranged in 12 pairs to represent the unity and solidarity of the Turkish people. Their design was inspired by the Maraş Lion, a Hittite sculpture at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, and are made of marble from Kayseri.
Independence Tower
At the beginning of the Lion Road are two towers. First, on the right is the Independence Tower (İstiklâl Kulesi). Inside is a relief made by Turkish sculptor Zühtü Müridoğlu (1906-1992) depicting a young man holding a sword with both hands and an eagle perched on a rock beside him. The man represents the Turkish army, which is the strength of the Turkish nation, while the eagle represents power and independence. Quotes about independence by Atatürk line the walls:
“While our nation seemed to end with the most terrible extinction, the voice of their ancestors, who invited their children to revolt against their captivity, rose in our hearts and called us to the last War of Independence.” (1921)
“Life means fighting, it means conflict. Success in life is definitely possible with success in war.” (1927)
“We are the nation that desires life and independence and we alone and only for this we disregard our lives.” (1921)
“There is no such principle as begging for mercy and compassion. Turkish nation, Turkey’s future children, should bear that in mind for a moment.” (1927)
“This nation has not lived without independence, it cannot and will not, independence or death!” (1919)
Also inside the Independence Tower is a scale model of the entire Anıtkabir complex as well as a station where visitors can get an audioguide in several different languages. When we visited, we were able to watch a short military ceremony from outside the tower.
Female Statue Group at the Independence Tower
In front of the Independence Tower is a statue group of three women made by Hüseyin Anka Özkan. The women are all wearing traditional Turkish clothing and represent the pride of all Turkish women as well as their determination in times of hardship.
The two women on the sides are holding a large wreath that touches the ground, representing Turkey’s abundance. The woman on the left is holding a cup, as if asking God for mercy. The woman in the middle is covering her face while crying, expressing the deep pain she feels for Atatürk’s death.
Freedom Tower
The tower on the left is the Freedom Tower (Hürriyet Kulesi). Inside is a relief by Zühtü Müridoğlu of an angel holding a sheet of paper and a horse next to it. The angel represents the holiness of freedom while the paper symbolizes the Turkish Declaration of Freedom. The horse is a symbol of freedom and independence. Quotes about freedom by Atatürk line the walls:
“The main thing is that the Turkish nation lives as a respectable and honorable nation. This principle can only be achieved by having full independence. No matter how rich and abundant, a nation devoid of independence cannot qualify for being a servant in the face of civilized humanity.” (1927)
“I think it is definitely possible for a nation to have the permanent presence of glory, honor, virtue and humanity in that nation, with the freedom and independence of that nation.” (1921)
“It is national sovereignty on which freedom, equality and justice are based.” (1923)
“We are a nation that has been a symbol of freedom and independence in all our historical life.” (1927)
On display inside the tower are photos of Anıtkabir being built as well as examples of different stones used in its construction.
There’s also a boat built at the Haliç Shipyard in Istanbul in 1937. It was commissioned by Atatürk to be used on the Çubuk Dam reservoir, which was built between 1930 and 1936. After Atatürk’s death, the boat was still used for its intended purpose. It was restored in 2006.
Male Statue Group at the Freedom Tower
In front of the Freedom Tower is a statue group of three men made by Hüseyin Anka Özkan. They represent the solemnity and willpower of the Turkish people.
The man on the left is a young Turkish intellectual holding a book in his hand. The man on the left is a Turkish soldier wearing a helmet and coat. Behind them in the middle is a Turkish peasant wearing traditional clothing, holding a stick and wearing a wool cap.
Ceremonial Plaza at Anıtkabir
Ceremonial Plaza (Tören Meydanı) is the large open space at the end of the Lion Road. It’s 129 meters (423 feet) long and 84 meters (276 feet) wide, and was designed to accommodate 15,000 people. The Hall of Honor containing the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk sits on the east side. Visitors to Anıtkabir can often see Turkish soldiers marching at the plaza.
The other three sides of the plaza are surrounded by colonnaded porticoes covered with yellow travertine brought from Eskipazar. Eight towers are attached to the porticos.
The western portico is a double colonnade open on both sides while the northern and southern porticos contain rooms. The ceiling of the porticos are decorated with colorful Turkish kilim carpet motifs.
The floor of the plaza is divided into 373 sections, each decorated with black, yellow, red, and white travertine paving stones. The stones are arranged in patterns representing Turkish kilim carpets.
Sarcophagus of İsmet İnönü
The symbolic sarcophagus of İsmet İnönü is in front of the western portico between the 13th and 14th columns. It’s made of pink syenite extracted from Topçam. The burial chamber is actually underneath the sarcophagus. It’s open to the public for one week after Republic Day on October 29, and for two weeks starting every December 25.
Mustafa İsmet İnönü (1884-1973) was a Turkish general who also served as the country’s second President. He was instrumental in leading the Turks to victory over Greece in the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922 and winning the Turkish War of Independence. As President, he successfully kept Turkey out of World War II. İnönü was highly educated and spoke fluent Arabic, English, German, and French in addition to his native Turkish.
On the left side of the sarcophagus is an excerpt from the telegram İnönü sent to Ankara after the Second Battle of İnönü:
From Metristepe, April 1, 1921
At 6.30 am, the situation I saw from Metristepe: Bozüyük is burning, the enemy left the battlefield filled with thousands of dead from our weapons.
Combat Front Commander İsmet
The right side of the sarcophagus contains an excerpt from the response sent by Atatürk:
Ankara, April 1, 1921
Commander of the Combat Front and Military Chief İsmet Pasha
You conquered not only the enemy, but also the luck of the nation.
Grand National Assembly Chief Mustafa Kemal
Flagpole at Ceremonial Plaza
A flagpole standing 29.5 meters high is located on the south side of Ceremonial Plaza. A relief designed by Kenan Yontunç (1904-1995) and implemented by Nusret Suman (1905-1978), both Turkish sculptors, sits on the base. The figures are a torch, sword, helmet, oak branch, and olive branch. They represent civilization, attack, defense, victory, and peace, respectively.
28 steps lead down from the flagpole to another area where the original flagpole has been placed. It was donated to Anıtkabir in 1946 by Nazmi Cemal, an American of Turkish origin. The flagpole was 33.5 meters high and was erected in 1950. It was retired on October 29, 2013.
To the right of the original flagpole is a map of Turkey decorated with a Turkish flag made of red and white rocks. Shrubs arranged in Atatürk’s signature sit next to it.
Towers on Ceremonial Plaza
As previously mentioned, there are eight towers attached to the porticos on Ceremonial Plaza. I apologize in advance for any bad translation of the quotes written below.
Mehmetçik Tower
After walking down the Lion Road, the first tower on the right is the Mehmetçik Tower (Mehmetçik Kulesi). A relief on the exterior represents a mehmetçik, which is a Turkish foot soldier, leaving his home for the front. His mother holds his hand and has her arm around his shoulders. The relief was made by Turkish sculptor Zühtü Müridoğlu (1906-1992). Inside the Mehmetçik Tower is a film room, and further along the portico is the Anıtkabir Library.
Quotes about Turkish soldiers and women by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938) line the walls inside the tower:
“The hero Turkish soldier understood the meaning of the Anatolian wars and fought for a new country.” (1921)
“It is impossible to talk about working women anywhere in the world, in any country, without mentioning Anatolian peasant women.” (1923)
“There is no unit of measure for the sacrifices and heroism of the children of this nation.”
Victory Tower
Continuing in a counter-clockwise direction is the Victory Tower (Zafer Kulesi). Inside the tower is the gun carriage that carried Atatürk’s body from Dolmabahçe Palace to the Turkish Navy in Sarayburnu in Istanbul on November 19, 1938.
Quotes about military victories by Atatürk line the walls inside the Victory Tower:
“It is only with the army of lore that victories give decent results.” (1923)
“This homeland is an idyllic homeland worthy of making a paradise for our children and grandchildren.” (1923)
“The line has no defenses, the surface has defenses. That surface is the whole country. Not an inch of the country should be abandoned until it is drenched with the blood of the citizens.” (1921)
Peace Tower
Next, on the southwest corner of Anıtkabir is the Peace Tower (Barış Kulesi). Inside is a relief by Turkish sculptor Nusret Suman (1905-1978) representing Atatürk’s principle of “Peace at home, peace in the world.” It depicts a Turkish soldier holding out his sword to protect peasants. The soldier represents the Turkish army allowing citizens to live their lives peacefully.
On display in the tower is a 1934 Lincoln used as by Atatürk as a ceremonial car between 1935 and 1938. It’s a six-seat convertible furnished with brown leather and has four doors. The car was transferred to Anıtkabir on September 17, 1963.
Quotes about peace by Atatürk line the walls inside the Peace Tower:
“Citizens of the world must be educated to avoid envy, greed and hatred.” (1935)
“Peace at home peace in the world!” (1931)
“Unless the nation’s existence is in direct danger, war is murder.” (1923)
23 April Tower
The fourth tower is the 23 April Tower (23 Nisan Kulesi), which is dedicated to the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on April 23, 1920. A relief on the inside depicts a woman holding a paper in one hand with an inscription of the date, and a key in her other hand representing the opening of the Assembly. The relief was made by Turkish sculptor Hakkı Atamulu (1912-2006).
On display in the tower is an armored 1935 Lincoln. It was ordered by the Turkish government in 1934 due to assassination attempts on Atatürk. It was used as an official car from 1935 to 1938. The car has four doors and seven seats with bulletproof windows, and is finished with black leather and carpeted flooring.
Quotes about the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey by Atatürk line the walls inside the 23 April Tower:
“There was only one decision: To establish a new and unconditionally independent Turkish State based on national sovereignty.” (1919)
“The sole and genuine representative of the Turkish State is the one and only Grand National Assembly of Turkey.” (1922)
“Our opinion is that the power, authority, sovereignty, and governance must be directly granted to the people. It is in the possession of the people.” (1920)
National Pact Tower
Directly across to the east is the National Pact Tower (Misak-ı Millî Kulesi), which is the entrance to the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum. Inside the tower, a relief by Nusret Suman depicts four hands stacked on a sword hilt symbolizing the pact of the Turkish people to defend their homeland.
Quotes about the National Pact by Atatürk line the walls:
“It is the iron hand of the nation, whose representation is our responsibility, which writes the significant history of the nation.” (1923)
“We want to live free and independently within our national borders.” (1921)
“Nations that do not find a national identity are a problem for other nations.” (1923)
Revolution Tower
The Revolution Tower (İnkılâp Kulesi) can be visited as part of the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum. It sits to the right of the Hall of Honor. Inside is a relief by Nusret Suman depicting a weak hand holding a torch that’s about to extinguish and a strong hand raising a bright torch to the skies. The weak hand represents the downfall of the Ottoman Empire while the strong hand represents the rise of the Turkish Republic and the reforms that led to Atatürk’s level of contemporary civilization.
Quotes about revolution and reform by Atatürk line the walls inside the tower:
“If a delegation does not walk in the same social context with all women and men, there is no possibility to pursue science and knowledge.” (1923)
“We have taken our inspiration directly from life, not from heaven and the unknown.” (1937)
Republic Tower
The next tower, also part of the museum, is the Republic Tower (Cumhuriyet Kulesi). It sits to the left of the Hall of Honor. On the walls is a quote by Atatürk about the Turkish Republic:
“Our greatest strength, our most sensible safety net, is the domination of grasping our nationality, the we have actually given it to the hands of the people and actually proved that we can keep it in the hands of the people.” (1927)
Defense of Law Tower
The eighth and final tower on Ceremonial Plaza is the Defense of Law Tower (Müdafaa-i Hukuk Kulesi). It sits at the end of the Lion Road to the left and features a relief on the exterior by Nusret Suman. The relief depicts a naked man standing next to a tree. He’s holding a sword in his right hand and his left hand is outstretched to say “Stop!”. The man represents the defense of national rights during the Turkish War of Independence. The tree represents Turkey.
The tower serves as a gift shop at the exit of the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum. Quotes about the defense of law by Atatürk line the inside of the tower:
“It is essential to make national power effective and dominate national will.” (1919)
“The nation will personally take care of its life, independence and all its existence from now on.” (1923)
“History can never deny the blood, right, and existence of a nation.” (1919)
“The most fundamental, most obvious desire and belief that emerged from the heart and conscience of the Turkish nation and inspired it was clear: Independence.” (1927)
Hall of Honor at Anıtkabir
The Hall of Honor (Şeref Holü) holds the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The building is 52 meters long on the front and back, 72 meters on the sides, and 17 meters high.
There are 8 columns along the front and back of the building and 14 along the sides. Each column is 14 meters high and covered in travertine brought from Eskipazar and Kayseri. The building is guarded by Turkish soldiers. It’s possible for visitors to see a changing of the guard ceremony.
Rostrum of the Hall of Honor
The Hall of Honor is reached by 42 steps and contains a rostrum in the center. The rostrum was made of marble by Turkish sculptor Kenan Yontunç (1904-1995). It features a quote by Atatürk, “Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation” (“Hakimiyet kayıtsız şartsız milletindir”). The spiral decorations were made by Turkish sculptor Nusret Suman (1905-1978). The steps are flanked by two large relief panels. At the top of the reliefs are a total of 10 large copper bowls, with 5 on each side.
Left Relief Panel
The relief on the left was made by Turkish sculptor Zühtü Müridoğlu (1906-1992). The far left depicts peasants preparing for the Turkish War of Independence. To their right, Atatürk is shown next to two horses with his right arm outstretched, pointing out a target to the Turkish army. The angel in front of him carries out his order to attack by blowing a horn.
In the next section, a wounded man with a sword in his hand represents the sacrifices and heroism of the Turkish army. In front of him is the angel of victory calling the Turkish army with a Turkish flag.
Right Relief Panel
The relied on the right was made by Turkish sculptor İlhan Koman (1921-1986). It represents the Battle of Sakarya, which was the turning point in the Turkish War of Independence. The right side of the relief depicts young Turkish people leaving their homes in preparation for battle. In front of them is a horse struggling to pull a cart stuck in the mud, and a man and two women helping to turn the cart’s wheel.
To their left is two women and a child sitting on the ground, symbolizing people under invasion waiting for the Turkish army to liberate them. The angel of victory flies over them offering a wreath to Atatürk. Finally, at the far left is a man symbolizing the victory of the Turkish army kneeling in front of a woman representing the motherland. She grasps an oak tree, which represents victory.
Speeches Inscribed on the Hall of Honor
Soldiers guarding the entrance stand in front of two speeches by Atatürk inscribed on the building. On the left is the Address to the Youth of Turkey (October 20, 1927) while on the right is the Tenth Year Speech (October 29, 1933). Both were written by Turkish calligrapher Emin Barın (1913-1987) with gold leaf on stone relief.
Atatürk’s Last Address to the Turkish Army
Two messages are inscribed on the either side of the entrance portal. On the right is Atatürk’s last address to the Turkish army (October 29, 1938):
“I address the Turkish army whose record of victory started at the dawn of the history of mankind and which has carried the light of civilization in its victorious progresses.
If you saved your country from oppression, tragedy and enemy invasion in the most critical and difficult times, I have no doubt that in the fruitful era of the Republic equipped with all the modern weapons and means of military science, you will conduct your duty with the same loyalty.
Our great nation and I are sure that you are always prepared to carry out your duty of defending the honor of our country and our civilization against any danger, from inside or outside.”
Message of Condolence to the Turkish Nation
On the left is a message of condolence to the Turkish nation by İsmet İnönü (1884-1973) published on November 21, 1938, following Atatürk’s death:
“To the great Turkish Nation!
The mortal body of the great Atatürk has been taken to his place of rest on the elaborate arms of his beloved Nation to the service of which he devoted himself.
In fact, he rests on the heroic and loyal chest of the Turkish Nation full of love and pride for him.
The incomparable hero Atatürk, the founder of our state, and the most loyal, faithful servant of our Nation, the lover and distinguished figure of the ideals of mankind, the Fatherland is greatly indebted to you.
We bow in reverence in your presence together with the Turkish Nation to the service of which you devoted yourself.
You rendered us vigor from the fire in your soul in your whole life. Rest assured that your blessed memory will always keep our souls zealous and vigilant, as an ever-flaming torch.
Interior of the Hall of Honor
The bronze doors to the Hall of Honor were made by Veneroni Prezati, The interior walls include tiger-patterned marble from Afyon as well as white and green marble from Bilecik. The floor is covered with cream, red, and black marble from Çanakkale, Hatay, and Adana, respectively. 12 bronze torches, 6 on each side, line the walls.
The ceiling has 27 beams decorated with mosaics. There are 22 windows, 4 of which are doors and 18 are fixed.
Sarcophagus of Atatürk
The symbolic sarcophagus of Atatürk sits in a niche atop white marble floors, while Atatürk’s body actually sits in a burial chamber just below. The sarcophagus is made of two slabs of red marble from the Gavur Mountains in Bahçe. The marble on the floor and walls was brought from Afyon.
The bronze railings on the rear window behind the sarcophagus were designed by Turkish architect Nezih Eldem (1921-2005) and made by Veneroni Prezati. The window faces Ankara Castle.
On my first visit in 2010, Anıtkabir was completely empty and I pretty much had the place to myself. I was able to take my time in the Hall of Honor. When I visited in 2019 with my wife, there were several school groups filing through and we had to wait in a long queue. Every few minutes we had to stop and watch a group take part in a wreath laying ceremony followed by a group photo.
Personal Life of Atatürk
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938) was born in Thessaloniki, which was under Ottoman rule at the time. He was an anti-monarchist and played a role in the Young Turk Revolution in July 1908. Atatürk was married for two years to Latife Hanım (1898-1975) and adopted 13 children during his lifetime. The most famous was Sabiha Gökçen (1913-2001), Turkey’s first female pilot and the world’s first female fighter pilot.
Atatürk was a heavy drinker and smoker. He succumbed to cirrhosis at 9:05am on November 10, 1938, at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul. He was initially laid to rest in the Ethnography Museum in Ankara and transferred to Anıtkabir on November 10, 1953.
Accomplishments of Atatürk
Atatürk remains to this day an iconic figure to most Turks, especially those who seek to continue his legacy of a progressive and secular Turkey.
Atatürk was the founder of the Turkish Republic and its first President from 1923 until his death. Before that, he was a field marshal in the Ottoman army who rose to prominence for his role in the Ottoman victory at Gallipoli during World War I. He then led the Turkish National Movement, establishing a capital at Ankara before defeating the Allied forces sent to partition what was left of the Ottoman Empire.
During his time as President, Atatürk enacted countless social, economic, political, and cultural reforms in order to build a modern, progressive, and secular republic. Among the most important were introducing a new Latin-based Turkish alphabet to replace the Arabic-based Ottoman alphabet; giving women equal civil and political rights and full universal suffrage; making primary school education free and mandatory; and abolishing the Ottoman Caliphate.
Atatürk shifted to peaceful diplomacy after the Turkish War of Independence. He sought friendly relations with other nations, strictly adhering to his policy of “Peace at home, peace in the world“. Through joint efforts, Atatürk and former Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936) were able to produce a remarkable time of peace between Greece and Turkey during the 1930s, which was unthinkable after the two countries fought a brutal war just a decade earlier.
Some aspects of Atatürk’s rule also had long-lasting negative effects. Turkification of place names, surnames of non-Turkish minorities, and non-Turkish words caused marginalization of minorities while secularization caused dissent among the deeply religious. A few of his policies continue to be controversial among certain groups in Turkey.
Atatürk and War of Independence Museum
The Atatürk and War of Independence Museum (Atatürk ve Kurtuluş Savaşı Müzesi) is located at Anıtkabir. As the name indicates, it focuses on the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), and the Turkish War of Independence. There’s no admission (as of April 2024) and displays are in Turkish and English. The Atatürk and War of Independence Museum opened on June 21, 1960.
The entrance to the museum is at the National Pact Tower on Ceremonial Plaza. It flows through the portico to the Revolution Tower, then under the Hall of Honor. The museum continues to the Republic Tower and through another portico to the Defense of Law Tower where visitors exit through the gift shop. Give yourself plenty of time to visit, especially on days Anıtkabir is crowded. It’s a large museum with lots to see.
First Section of the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum
In the first section between the National Pact and Revolution Towers are a wax figure of Atatürk and several of his personal belongings. Many items were donated by his adopted children. Photos are forbidden in this section.
Second Section of the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum
The second section includes dioramas of important battles in which Atatürk took part. One depicts scenes from the Gallipoli campaign during World War I.
Another depicts scenes from the Battle of Sakarya in 1921. It was a turning point in the Greco-Turkish War and the Turkish War of Independence. In the same room is a scene from the Commander-in-Chief Battle, which took place shortly after Sakarya and put the Turks on the offensive.
The gallery includes portraits of Atatürk and several important commanders who participated in the War of Independence.
There are also oil paintings depicting various moments during the war, including Atatürk resting with his soldiers; Greek atrocities in Smyrna (Izmir); Atatürk triumphantly marching through Smyrna after retaking it from the Greek army; and Atatürk marching through Ankara.
Third Section of the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum
The third section contains 18 thematic galleries in 3 corridors surrounding the second section.
First Corridor of the Third Section
The galleries in the first corridor begin with different events during the Atatürk period from 1919 to 1938. They’re described with reliefs, photos, busts, and models.
One of the galleries I was most interested in was the Greek invasion. It included lots of info and photos of Greek ceremonies at Kırklareli and Ödemiş as well as Greek forces in Smyrna.
Photos of Turkish victims of Greek atrocities are also included in this section, as well as a photo of US President Woodrow Wilson, French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau, and British Prime Minister Lloyd George. They were all blamed for encouraging the Greek Occupation of Smyrna on May 15, 1919.
Other galleries in the first corridor covered topics such as Turkish congresses; the National Struggle in Antep, Maraş, Urfa, and Thrace; the Turkish Navy in the War of Independence; and the Turkish Air Force in the War of Independence.
Building Models
At the end of the first corridor are models of buildings that played an important role in Atatürk’s life and the Turkish War of Independence. They include Atatürk’s birthplace in Thessaloniki; Monastır Military High School in Bitola, North Macedonia, where Atatürk attended military school; Atatürk’s house in the Şişli district of Istanbul; and the Erzurum Congress Building.
Second Corridor of the Third Section
The second corridor contains more galleries, covering topics such as the Treaty of Lausanne and Atatürk’s reforms in education, the Turkish alphabet, language, women’s rights, surnames, social life, and more.
The burial chamber of Atatürk is located halfway down this corridor. It’s not accessible to the public, but a closed-circuit TV broadcasting from inside the tomb allows visitors to see inside.
At the end of the corridor are models of more buildings. They include the Alagöz Commander in Chief Headquarters, Sivas Congress Building, and the First Turkish Grand National Assembly Building in Ankara.
Third Corridor of the Third Section
In the third corridor are galleries covering developments overseen by Atatürk in fine arts, the press, agriculture, forestry, industry and commerce, national security, tourism, sports, finance, health, public works, and transportation. There’s also a gallery about domestic and foreign political events.
Fourth Section of the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum
The fourth section of the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum runs between the Republic and Defense of Law Towers. It includes books from Atatürk’s private library as well as 14 interactive touch screen devices with information about his life and Anıtkabir. Photos are forbidden in this section.
In the Republic Tower, there’s a wax figure of Atatürk at his desk at Çankaya Mansion. Apart from the bookshelf and clothing, all items originally belonged to Atatürk. One of Atatürk’s favorite dogs was also stuffed and is included in the exhibit.
Exhibition Hall of the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum
Directly underneath the National Pact Tower is another small exhibition hall featuring rotating exhibits. When we visited, newspapers about Atatürk’s death and funeral were on display.
