Architecture and Features

Second National Architecture Movement and Anıtkabir

In our previous issue, we examined the period between 1940-1950, known as the "Second National Architecture Period" in Turkish architecture. In this issue, we will attempt to examine Anıtkabir, one of the most important symbols of this period. Anıtkabir, which emphasizes monumental character, values symmetry, and employs cut stone materials, fully reflects the characteristics of the period. However, Selçuk and Ottoman architectural features and decorative elements are also frequently incorporated in Anıtkabir. This characteristic is evident, for example, in the external facades, where a border known as a saw-tooth pattern in Selçuk stone masonry surrounds the towers on four sides where the walls meet the roof. Additionally, in sections of Anıtkabir such as the Mehmetçik Tower and the Museum Directorate, stone decorations called wheel motifs and rosettes, also used in Selçuk and Ottoman art, are present. With all these characteristics, Anıtkabir is one of the finest examples of its period of construction and covers approximately 750,000 m². It is divided into two sections: the Peace Park and the Monument Block. Anıtkabir was designed by Prof. Emin Onat and Assoc. Prof. Orhan Arda.

Emin Onat (1908 - 1961)

Born in Istanbul in 1908, Emin Onat entered the School of Engineering in 1926. Under the Republic's project to educate modern and qualified young people, successful students were afforded the opportunity to study abroad on the condition that they would join the teaching staff upon return. Under this scheme, Onat continued his studies abroad and graduated from ETH University Zurich. In 1935, he achieved the rank of Associate Professor in the Architecture Department of the School of Engineering, and in 1938, he became Professor. Onat became Ordinary Professor on 28 May 1943, and when the Technical University was established in 1944, he was elected the first dean of the Faculty of Architecture. He served as dean for two terms and as rector between 1951-1953. Beyond Emin Onat's academic career, he has many works including, most notably, Anıtkabir, the Faculty of Science and Literature of Istanbul University, Istanbul Court of Justice, Istanbul Technical University Central Building (Taşkışla), Uludağ Sanatorium, and Ankara Police Headquarters. The successful architect and academician Emin Onat died in Istanbul on 17 July 1961 following a heart attack at a very young age.

Orhan Arda (1911 - 2003)

Orhan Arda was born in 1911 in Salonica. He completed his primary, secondary, and high school education in Istanbul and graduated from the School of Engineering in 1936. He began his professional career as an assistant at the same school in 1938. Arda became an associate professor in 1944 and was appointed to the position of professor at the second Building Department of the Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Architecture in 1960. Orhan Arda served as professor of the Environmental Analysis and Industrialized Building Design Department at the Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Architecture. Professor Orhan Arda, member number 828 of the Chamber of Architects, retired from his university position in 1978 and passed away on 4 July 2003.

1941 Project Competition

Following Atatürk's death, a complex needed to be constructed to preserve his remains. As a nation, a project competition was held in 1941 for this monument through which we would pay our respects to the memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic. The project requirements determined by the incumbent government were published in different languages on an international scale. The competition jury included the famous German Prof. P. Bonatz, who was one of Europe's renowned artists at that time, and many other distinguished figures. The Second World War was in full swing, yet the competition was received with interest. Important architects from Turkey, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Czechoslovakia, 27 of whom were foreign, participated in the competition with a total of 47 projects. The jury selected the three most favored projects; ultimately, the project of Prof. Emin Onat and Assoc. Prof. Orhan Arda was chosen. Following the selection of the project, land acquisition work and construction commenced. Construction began with a grand foundation-laying ceremony held on 9 October 1944 and was completed within a period of 9 years.

Architectural Features of Anıtkabir

Upon entering through the Tandoğan Gate, one reaches Anıtkabir via a wide staircase of 26 steps at the beginning of the Lion Road extending through the Peace Park. The Independence and Liberty towers are positioned opposite each other immediately at the beginning of the stairs. Ten towers, positioned with symmetry in mind, are located within the Anıtkabir structure complex. These towers are named to represent lofty concepts that had great influence in the formation of our nation and state. The towers are built on a rectangular plan measuring 12 x 14 x 7.20 m and are similar in structural form in terms of plan and construction. The tops of the towers are covered with pyramid-shaped roofs topped with bronze spearheads seen on ancient Turkish tents. Geometric decorations derived from old Turkish carpet patterns applied using fresco technique are visible on the towers. A composition related to the tower's name and Atatürk's memorable words are displayed on the inner walls of the towers.

Mausoleum

Undoubtedly, the most important section of Anıtkabir is the mausoleum section. The 'speech platform' is located in the middle of the 42-step staircase leading to the mausoleum. [gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnR1cmtjaGVtLm5ldFwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAxOVwvMTBcL21vem9sZV8uanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJtb3pvbGVfIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IlBob3RvOiBWb2xraTI2IiwiYWx0IjoiIiwiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiIifSxleUp1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnR1cmtjaGVtLm5ldFwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAxOVwvMTBcL2FzbGFuXy5qcGciLCJ0aXRsZSI6ImFzbGFuXyIsImNhcHRpb24iOiJQaG90bzogTWFydGluIE1vbnJvZSAvIENDIEJZLVNBIDIuMCIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0="] The marble platform facing the ceremonial square is ornamented with circular geometric motifs. In the center is Atatürk's statement: "Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation." The mausoleum, built on a rectangular plan measuring 72 x 52 x 17 m, is surrounded by eight columns on the front and rear facades and fourteen columns 14.40 m high on the side facades. On the left is Atatürk's address to Turkish youth, and on the right is the speech he delivered on the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Republic, both displayed on the mausoleum facade.

Hall of Honor

Through bronze doors one enters the Hall of Honor. On the right side of the entrance is Atatürk's last message to the Turkish military dated 29 October 1938, while on the left is the condolence message to the Turkish nation published by second President İsmet İnönü upon Atatürk's death, dated 21 November 1938. Atatürk's symbolic sarcophagus is located in the niche directly across from the entrance where a large window is situated. The single-piece red marble sarcophagus, weighing 40 tons, is extremely impressive. The Hall of Honor is 17 meters high. On the side walls there are 12 bronze torches, 6 on each side.

Burial Chamber

In the basement of the mausoleum, directly excavated into the earth, lies the grave where Atatürk's sacred remains rest. It is located directly beneath the symbolic sarcophagus in the Hall of Honor, which is the first floor of the mausoleum. The burial chamber, with an octagonal plan in Selçuk and Ottoman architectural style, has its ceiling decorated with geometric patterned mosaics. The floor and walls are made of black, white, and red marble. Brass urns containing earth sent from all provinces of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are placed around the red marble sarcophagus in the center of the burial chamber.

Lion Road

24 lion sculptures stand in seated position on both sides of the 262 m long road. To emphasize the importance Atatürk gave to Turkish and Anatolian history, the lion sculptures were created by Hüseyin Özkan in the art style of the Hittites, who established a great civilization in Anatolia, representing strength and tranquility. Located on a total area of 750,000 square meters, Anıtkabir forms a magnificent complex of structures comprising the Lion Road, the ceremonial square, the mausoleum, and ten towers. We express our gratitude to all those who contributed to the construction of this work. We once again honor the founder of our Republic, the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with affection, respect, and longing. Prepared by: B. Serhat Cengiz Sources: • Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism / General Directorate of Monuments and Museums • www.anitkabir.org • www.arkitera.com • A Reading on Paul Bonatz in the Context of the Anıtkabir Competition, Nevin Aslı Can Bilge, Ph.D., Architectural Historian.