Monuments in Turkey

Memmius Monument

• The Memmius Monument is located in Ephesus, Turkey, in Domitian Square. The monument has been preserved over the centuries, but was originally built in the first century A.D. The monument was constructed during the rule of August Caesar over the Roman Empire, when the Empire included Turkey. It is named after Memmius, the grandson of the Roman dictator Sulla, who was in command of the area including Ephesus. Sulla led an army of Romans into the area and pushed out the ruling king Mithridates to free the region from tyranny. The monument itself features carved figures of both Sulla and Memmius, and years after its original construction a square fountain was added.

  Memmius Monument
  Ephesus
  Selcuk 35920
  Turkey

Helles Memorial

• Located in Gallipoli, Turkey, the Helles Memorial is located in the center of a number of museums and cemeteries dedicated to Turkish soldiers who have died in battle throughout history. The obelisk that is the Helles Memorial is more than 30 meters (90 feet) high, and can be seen by ships sailing on the Dardanelles Strait.

  The actual battle that took place in Gallipoli began in April 1915, when Allied forces from World War I were attempting to force their way through to a supply route to Russia that could help break the deadlock on the Western front in France. Turkish resistance held off the invaders until January 1916, when the forces had to retreat.

  More than 21,000 casualties are reported from the Gallipoli campaign, and the Helles Memorial honors those casualties with a list of names and a number of panels for those who have no known graves. The memorial also commemorates Turkish soldiers who fought on other fronts during the war, and foreign soldiers who helped Turkey in its struggles during World War I.

  Helles Memorial
  Gallipoli Peninsula

Anitkabir Monumental Tomb

• For a slightly more modern history lesson, visit the Anitkabir Monumental tomb in Ankara, Turkey. The tomb stands as a memorial to Kemal Ataturk, the founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Ataturk was a military leader during the Turkish Independence War and Turkish Revolution; his struggles enabled the country to set up its first parliamentary government in 1923, with its seat in Ankara. Ataturk died in 1938; the monument's construction began in 1944, and was finished in 1953.

  The tomb consists of a number of kiosks and statutes dedicated to Ataturk and his fellow revolutionaries, including General Ismet Inonu, who became the second president of Turkey after Ataturk's death. The walls are lined with excerpts from Ataturk's speeches and mosaics representing the long history of Turkey.

  Anitkabir Monumental Tomb
  Ankara, Turkey