TRAVEL INFO: ATATURK MAUSOLEUM, ANKARA, TURKEY

Anıtkabir, the Atatürk Mausoleum, is the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey. Located on the Rasattepe hill in Ankara, it is a monumental symbol of Turkish independence and modern identity.

History & Significance

• Purpose: It was built to honor Atatürk’s legacy and serves as a site of national pilgrimage.
• Construction: Following Atatürk’s death in 1938, his remains were kept in the Ethnography Museum until Anıtkabir was completed in 1953.
• Architecture: Designed by architects Emin Onat and Orhan Arda, the complex blends neoclassical "Second National Architecture" style with ancient Anatolian motifs (Hittite, Seljuk, and Ottoman).

The Complex Layout

The site is divided into two main parts: the Peace Park (surrounding greenery) and the Monument Block.

1. The Road of Lions (Aslanlı Yol)

A 262-meter pedestrian path lined with 24 Hittite-style lion statues, symbolizing power and peace. The stones are intentionally spaced so you must look down while walking, a gesture of respect before reaching the tomb.

2. The Ceremonial Plaza

A vast open square at the end of the Road of Lions that can hold up to 15,000 people. Its floor is decorated with travertine stones in the patterns of traditional Turkish kilim carpets.

3. The Hall of Honor (Mausoleum)

The heart of the complex, featuring 14.4-meter high columns.

• Symbolic Sarcophagus: Inside the Hall of Honor lies a massive 40-ton monolith of marble.
• Actual Tomb: Atatürk is buried in a private octagonal burial chamber directly beneath the symbolic sarcophagus, where soil from every province of Turkey is kept.

4. Atatürk and the War of Independence Museum

Located in the lower level, this museum houses Atatürk’s personal effects, gifts from world leaders, and detailed panoramas of the battles that led to the Republic’s founding.

Visitor Information

• Admission: Free for everyone.
• Opening Hours: Generally open daily from 09:00 to 17:00 (hours may vary slightly by season; winter usually closes at 16:00).
• Changing of the Guard: This happens several times a day and is a highlight for many visitors due to the high-precision marching and ceremonial instructions.
• Ismet İnönü’s Tomb: The second President of Turkey is also buried in the complex, directly across from Atatürk’s mausoleum.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

1/1/2026: 6.05 p.m