| E-8 Five New Turkish Lira | ||||||||||||||||||
The Mausoleum of Atatürk Mausoleum
of Atatürk called Anıtkabir is in Ankara. Preparation for Anıtkabir began
shortly after Atatürk's death. Rasattepe whose name was changed as
Anıttepe was chosen for build up to mausoleum since it is the second
highest hill after City Citadel. In 1941, 22 domestic and 27 foreign
projects were submitted to international competition arranged for
construction. The joint project of Emin Onat and Orhan Arda was the winner
among the three projects selected by international jury. The construction
began on October 9, 1944 and was completed in 9 years. On November 10,
1953 Atatürk's corpse was moved from Etnographical Museum, the former
place where it was burried, to Anıtkabir. The
Mausoleum is set up on 15.000 m2 square in which parks and gardens
are set up. The Çankırı Stone was used for building, since its aesthetic
pale yellow and grey color reconciles very well with the natural pale
color of the city. A wide stairs ascends to Mausoleum from the west gate.
Among the "Tower of Liberty" and Tower of Indepence", in which some parts
of Atatürk's speeches on freedom and independence are written by golden
gilding, a road reaches to 250 metres long "Lion Pane". 24 statues of
Hittite Lions are situated on both sides of this road leading to "Victory
Square" surrounded by eight towers. The Towers, named as "Republic",
"Revolution", "Peace" and "Victory" are located on the corners. The Towers
of "Defence of National Rights" (Müdafa-i Hukuk) and "Honorable Turkish
Soldier" (Mehmetçik) are located at the main entrance. And Towers named as
"National Pact" (Misak-ı Milli), "April 23" (the date Turkish Grand
National Assembly was founded) are at the exit. The main building of
Anıtkabir is seen when you reach the Victory Square form Lion Pane.
Outside of the building, Atatürk's speech to Turkish Youth is placed on
the right wall and speech for 10th anniversary of foundation of
Republic is on the left wall. There are 33 steps From Victory Square to
Reception Hall that is 20 metres high, 32 metres wide and 60 metres long.
The Hall is surrounded with a gallery formed by stone pillars. Floor and
walls of the hall are covered with high quality marble and the roof with
golden mosaic. Opposite of the exit, there is a window through which
scenery of City Citadel is seen. In front of this window, a symbolic tomb
is settled on a stone basement and Atatürk's grave is under this
block. |