Anıtkabir
Atatürk's mausoleum and national memory
Image credit: William Neuheisel from DC, US, CC BY 2.0
About
Built on a hill in Ankara, Anıtkabir is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Türkiye, and the most sacred place of national memory. With its plain, magnificent and symmetrical architecture, it receives millions of visitors each year with deep respect and emotional intensity. The wide ceremonial plaza reached by passing through the Road of Lions, and the monumental mausoleum beyond it, are an important work of the Turkish architecture of the era. Atatürk's sarcophagus inside the mausoleum and the museum on the lower floor offer an impressive collection of his life, reforms and personal belongings. With its changing-of-the-guard ceremonies, wide gardens and panoramic view of Ankara, Anıtkabir is not merely a tomb but an essential stop visited by people of all ages to understand the founding spirit and values of Türkiye.
History
After Atatürk's death in 1938, it was built between 1944 and 1953 to the design of the architects Emin Onat and Orhan Arda, who won the international competition for the mausoleum. Atatürk's remains were transferred here in 1953.
Visiting Tips
- ✓Entry is free; ID may be required
- ✓Try to watch the changing of the guard
- ✓Be sure to visit the museum on the lower floor
- ✓Allow at least 2 hours to explore
- ✓Respectful dress and behaviour are expected
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Anıtkabir?
Anıtkabir is located at Anıttepe, Çankaya, Ankara in Ankara.
When is the best time to visit Anıtkabir?
Recommended time: Year-round.
