Ankara︱The Mausoleum of Atatürk (Anıtkabir)

The Mausoleum of Atatürk (Anıtkabir)

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the great founder of the Republic of Turkey. He was the field marshal in what was then the Ottoman Empire. Seeing the empire declining and being all vulnerable when facing vigorous attacks from the well-equipped European powers in WWI, the field marshal insisted on launching reforms before the empire fell apart. After a provisional government was formed in Ankara, he abolished the Ottoman Sultanate. The independent and autonomous Republic of Turkey, which was smaller in size than the Ottoman Empire, practised secular and westernised policies with Kemal as its president. The resilient Turkey has become a regional power since then. Kemal, the national hero, won the hearts and respect of his people.

To honour Kemal’s enormous contribution to establishing the country, the majestic Mausoleum of Atatürk was erected as his resting place. The Atatürk and Turkish War of Independence Museum next to the mausoleum boasts a collection of the Kemal’s objects, and exhibits the history of the war. Located in the city centre like the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C in the USA, the Mausoleum of Atatürk possesses the same prestigious position in Turkey as the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall (commonly known as the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong) in China, and the Lenin’s Mausoleum in Russia. It has been receiving countless Turkish and visitors worldwide. Soldiers are guarding the mausoleum. The guard mounting at the square is worth watching. When it comes to remarkable occasions such as the national day, a striking military parade will be staged to pay the highest tribute to the country's founder.