Anitkabir

Anıtkabir is the monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic, and the most important national monument in Turkey. Approached via a long ceremonial avenue lined with stone lions, the vast complex opens onto a huge plaza framed by colonnades, with the imposing limestone mausoleum at its head. The scale, the solemn ceremonial guard, and the sweeping views over Ankara give it real gravity; for Turks it is a place of deep reverence.

Beneath and around the monument, an excellent museum covers Atatürk's life, the War of Independence (with dramatic dioramas), and the founding of the republic. It's free, deeply significant, and essential for understanding modern Turkey, allow a couple of unhurried hours and dress and behave respectfully.

Don't miss

• The Lion Road ceremonial approach
• The vast ceremonial plaza and colonnades
• The monumental Hall of Honour (Atatürk's tomb)
• The War of Independence museum and dioramas
• The changing of the ceremonial guard

Good for

How travelers rate it

Know before you go

• It's free and deeply significant, dress and behave respectfully throughout.
• Don't miss the museum beneath/around the monument, especially the War of Independence dioramas.
• Try to catch the ceremonial changing of the guard.
• It's a large hilltop complex, allow a couple of unhurried hours.

A bit of history

Built between 1944 and 1953 to house the remains of Atatürk (who died in 1938), Anıtkabir was the product of an international design competition. Its architecture blends modern monumental forms with motifs from various Anatolian civilisations, symbolising the new nation's roots and ambitions.