Canakkale Martyrs' Memorial

During World War 1, one of the most bloody fights occurred in Gallipoli Peninsula throughout history. The Entente Powers (France, Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, United States) were aiming to provide military and nutrition aid to Russia bypassing Dardanelles and Bosphorus however Ottomans who are at the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottomans, and Bulgaria) side block them at Dardanelles. The Entente Powers couldn’t break the resistance of the Ottoman soldiers in Gallipoli Campaign that changed the war’s and the world’s destiny forever. During the campaign which lasts months, thousands of soldiers both from the Ottomans and The Entente Powers have died in Gallipoli Peninsula.

After WW1, following years in accordance with the Armistice of Mudros and Treaty of Lausanne, the countries which were participants in The Entente Powers once had built cemeteries around the Peninsula. Turkey, however, couldn't build one due to economical difficulties because they were fought in the Independence War between the years 1919-1923. 

In 1943 the Ministry of National Defense has organized a monument competition for the memorial of Turkish Canakkale martyrs. The project which was designed by the students of Istanbul Technical University Feridun Kip, Dogan Erginbaş, and İsmail Utkular won it.

But due to economical difficulties again the young Turkish republic could not start construction for the memorial project. Then in 1954, the construction had started but again stopped because of economical problems. Upon this, a donation campaign had started with a newspaper article, the money which is needed for construction was gathered.

It opened on the 45th anniversary of Suvla Bay's victory (2nd Anafartalar War)by Chief of Staff Gen. Cevdet Sunay on August 21, 1960.