Canakkale / Dardanelles : The City That Witness End Of An Era
The Turkish people resisted the most powerful states in the world under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the battle of Canakkale ( Dardanelles ). The war lasted eight and a half months. Nearly half a million human lost their lives in the conflict.
The battle was crucial for both sides. The Çanakkale – Dardanelles War has taken its place in history with blood, and finally ended with one of the greatest victories.
More than 250,000 memories of Turkish martyrs exist in Çanakkale. Moreover, over 250,000 soldiers from Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand lies in Çanakkale. At the entrance of the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Monument are inscribed the poignant words of Mustafa Kemal, addressed dedicated in 1934 to the foreign soldiers:
“You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”
The most-visited site in this city full with monuments, inscriptions and martyrdoms is Çanakkale Martyrs’ Monument. The remindful Çanakkale Martyrs’ Monument continues to proclaim to the world the preciousness and value of peace.
Gallipoli Historical Area of the Gallipoli Campaign in Canakkale
The Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial is on Hisarlık Hill. It takes place behind Morto Bay on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The stately memorial is for the martyrs of Çanakkale. The memorial opened for visitors on August 21, 1960, the 45th anniversary of the Second Anafartalar Victory. Authorities made small changes to the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial from time to time. The structure took its final form in 2007.
A note: The Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial is 41.70 meters high and covers an area of 625 square meters. It is a sobering and imposing structure visited by almost everyone who comes to Çanakkale. On the ceiling of the memorial is a mosaic of the Turkish flag.
57th Infantry Regiment War Cemetery
Before moving on to the 57th Infantry Regiment War Cemetery, it is necessary to tell the Regiment’s story.
The 57th Infantry Regiment of the Ottoman Empire made history with the Anzac Landing. Historians consider it as the start of the Çanakkale land battles. The Commander of the 19th Division, Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal and Major Hüseyin Avni trained The 57th Regiment. They set out for Canakkale in March 1915. On April 25, at the beginning of the Canakkale campaign, the 57th Regiment was sent to Conkbayırı on the personal initiative of Mustafa Kemal. On the order of Mustafa Kemal, the 57th Infantry Regiment counterattacked the Allied troops landing at Anzac Cove. They successfully defended the region until the end of the war.
In 1992, The authorities built symbolic martyrdom on the Gallipoli Peninsula for the 628 soldiers of the 57th Regiment who lost their lives. Architect Nejat Dinçel designed the 57th Regiment Martyrdom and Monument built at the south end of Kılıçbayırı. It is deeply moving and a structure that deserves to be seen and felt among Çanakkale’s historical sites.
How Can I Go To Çanakkale – Dardanelles?
Çanakkale is a city in the Marmara region of Turkey. If you would like to visit Çanakkale, there are several ways you can get there:
- By plane: You can fly to Istanbul, which is the closest major airport to Çanakkale, and then take a domestic flight to Çanakkale Airport. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to the city center.
- By bus: There are many bus companies that operate daily buses from Istanbul and other major cities in Turkey to Çanakkale. You can check the schedules and book tickets online or through a travel agency
- By car: You can rent a car in Istanbul or another major city and drive to Çanakkale. The journey takes around 5-6 hours depending on your starting location and the route you take.
- By ferry: If you would like to take a more scenic route, you can take a ferry from Istanbul or another city on the Marmara Sea to Çanakkale. The ferry ride takes around 8-10 hours.
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