Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s Mausoleum - Anitkabir, Ankara, Turkey

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was the leader of the Turkish Independence War and the founder of the Turkish Republic. He was also the republic's first president. Needless to say, he is revered, till this day, by his people. Anitkabir reflects his people's abiding respect and love for the man who had led their country to full independence.



The construction of the Anitkabir took 9 years to built and is divided into two sections, the Peace Park and the Monument Block. Anitkabir covers approximately 750 000 square meters.





The changing of guards. We were there in time to see the changing of guards. I have to admit that it was a bit unnerving to see them stand so still and staring straight ahead at only he knows what, while people are staring at him and taking pictures with/of him. The first guard we saw, his eyes were so blue and serious.



The vast ceremonial ground which can accomodate around 15 000 people. The ground is decorated with rug and kilim patterns.





Inside the mausoleum. The symbolic tomb is situated on the first floor of the mausoleum and Atatürk's body is buried beneath the symbolic tomb on the mausoleum's ground floor. The second President of the Turkish Republic, who was also Atatürk's closest friend, Ismet Inönü, is also buried in Anitkabir.



I like this picture the best. The guard standing so still against the gold gilded letterings of Atatürk's speech. On the museum's facade, on the right side is the inscription of Atatürk's speech on the X anniversary of the Turkish Republic and on the left, is Atatürk's address to the Turkish Youth.



The Lion's Road. This long pedestrian road has 24 seated lion statues on both sides; the lions symbolizes power and peace and was made after Hittite style. At the end of this road is the ceremonial ground and the mausoleum.

For more information about Anitkabir, please go to Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Culture's site on Anitkabir and of course, the ever helpful Wikipedia. And for more information about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, please visit Ataturk.com