The Atatürk Mausoleum, symbol of the new Ankara, is located on the Anit Tepesi, beyond the railroad station, about 2.5km/1.5mi southwest of Ulus Meydani. Designed by the Turkish architect Emil Onat and erected between 1944 and 1953, the mausoleum is a notable example of modern Turkish architecture. The complex comprises a Path of Honor flanked by reclining Hittite lions, a Court of Honor, the Atatürk Mausoleum itself and a museum.
A flight of 33 steps made from Cappadocian tufa leads up between the Tower of Liberation and Tower of Independence to the 260m/285yds-long Path of Honor. On either side of the 30m/33yds-wide avenue stand sculpted groups of three female and three male figures representing the transition from Ottoman traditionalism to the modernity of Atatürk's Turkish Republic. At the far end the entrance to the Court is guarded by two more towers symbolizing the simple Turkish soldier and the defense of national rights.
The Court, with colonnaded buildings on three sides, also has towers at each corner signifying Peace, Victory, Revolution and the Republic.
The colonnaded hall on the east side of the Court houses the Atatürk Museum, an interesting collection of mementos and memorabilia including many personal effects. The edifice on the south side is the mausoleum of Turkey's second president, Ismet Inönü.
On the north side, reached by a second massive flight of 33 steps, stands the Atatürk Mausoleum, 55m/180ft wide, 72m/236ft long and 21m/69ft high. Bas reliefs on the front of the platform terrace either side of the steps depict scenes from the War of Liberation (Battle on the Sakarya, Battle of Dumlupinar). Above them burn eternal flames. Inscriptions flank the mausoleum entrance: to the right an excerpt from Atatürk's great speech delivered on the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Republic, to the left his exhortation to Turkish youth. At the rear inside the hall, in a niche with gilded top and elaborate front railing, stands the 40 ton marble sarcophagus of the Republic's founder. His remains were brought here from their temporary resting place in the Ethnographic Museum on November 10th 1953, the fifteenth anniversary of his death.
Displays from his life include some of his furniture and uniforms.
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