Anıtkabir ; Atatürk's Mausoleum

Mausoleum which is the indicator of esteem and love felt for Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is the most meaningful work of art in Turkish Republic. Being located on a point overlooking the city strengthens its structural magnificence. Its architecture, and sculpture and relieves used reflect the War of Independence, establishment of Turkish Republic and personnel characteristics of Mustafa Kemal. Mausoleum is located on a 15,000 square meters area.

· Location: Anıttepe/Ankara

· Data: October 9^th, 1944 - September 1^st, 1953

· Employer: Ministry of National Defense

· Architectural Design: Emin Onat, Orhan Arda

An international competition was organized to choose a design for Atatürk’s Mausoleum in 1943. The winner of the competition was Prof. Emin Onat and Orhan Arda and the construction of the building started in 1944. The building represent the Turkish history, in particular the independence war, and the great military, revolutionary and leadership qualities of Mustafa Kemal. After the competition of the building, Atatürk’s body was removed to there on 10^th of November, 1953.

The Mausoleum was covers a large area known as Mausoleum Hill. Gardens and park surround the building, which reached by special roads. Leading to the Mausoleum is Lion Road, boarded an either side by twenty four lion statues. To the right of the entrance is the tower of Independence, and to the left the tower of Freedom. In front of the tower are two groups of statues depicting three men and three women, who represent Turkish nation.

The period between 1940-1950 years is known as “2^nd National Architecture Period” in Turkish Architecture. In this period buildings, monumental structure of which carries weight which give importance to symmetry and hewn stone materials are used, have been mostly constructed. Mausoleum also includes the characteristics of this period.

Seljuk and Ottoman architectural characteristic and embossing elements have applied in Mausoleum in addition to the features of this period. For example a border print, which has been called as saw tooth in Seljuk stonework, which encircles the towers on the point where the walls meet with the roof has been applied on the exterior front. In addition stone embosses called as fortune’s wheel and rosette used in some sections of the Mausoleum (Mehmetçik/Soldier Tower, Museum Directorate) stands out in Seljuk and Ottoman art.

Mausoleum which is one the best examples as of its construction time cover approximately a 750,000 m² area, and divided into two parts as Peace Park and Monument Block.

Resourse: Özdemir, Gülay, 50th Anniversary of IMO 50 major works of the republican era, Ankara: TMMOB İnşaat Mühendisleri Odası, 2007.