Mezarlık

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be buried in the same place as a President or Prime Minister of Turkey? You are standing at the Turkish State Cemetery, a place where the nation’s elite are interred, a silent city of marble and memories. The cemetery was established in 1988, and it is a place of great historical importance. It sits on the grounds of the Ataturk Forest Ranch, a serene place in Ankara that was once a place of peace and nature. The Turkish State Cemetery is not just a graveyard; it is a living museum, memorializing the history of Turkey and its leaders. It was created to honor the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, and his close companions-in-arms who fought in the Turkish War of Independence. The cemetery was designed by architect Ozgur Ecevit and agronomist Ekrem Gurenli, and it is a testament to their vision. The cemetery is laid out in a beautiful, symmetrical design, with a central road lined with marble sculptures that tell the story of Turkey’s rebirth as a nation. The path through the cemetery is known as the “History of the Republic Road,” and it is a captivating journey through time for those who walk it. The road begins with a sculpture symbolizing the beginning of the War of Independence when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk arrived in Samsun in 1919. Other sculptures along the road commemorate important events such as the Congresses in Erzurum and Sivas, the establishment of the new parliament in Ankara, and the Peace Treaty of Lausanne. This collection of artworks features the first-ever large-scale sculpture arrangement in Turkey. The sculptures are a beautiful and thought-provoking way to experience the history of a nation. The Turkish State Cemetery is a peaceful and tranquil place, where visitors can reflect on the past and ponder the future. It is a place of respect and reverence, where the nation honors its past and looks toward the future.