National Ascension Monument, Antalya

The “National Ascension Monument” in today's Republic Square was opened in 1964. Sculptor Prof. Dr. This statue, made by Hüseyin Gezer and paid for by donations collected from the people of Antalya, brought an innovation to the monument sculpture in terms of establishing a unity between the pedestal and the figures, and incorporating the pedestal into the narrative of the monument. 12 tons of bronze material was used for the six-meter-high statue.

28 projects participated in the two-stage competition for the Monument, which was opened by the President of the Atatürk Monument Construction Association, Muharrem Önal, with the Architect Tarık Intellectual. At the end of the competition, the sculptors of 5 projects among the participants were invited to a second competition. As a result; Prof. dr. Hüseyin Gezer's project was chosen first. While the sculpture was being made, on the other hand, the place to be planted was searched. When the Republic Square was determined as the suitable place, the implementation of the pedestal project was undertaken by Architect Tarık Intellectual from Antalya. The granite stones on the pedestal were brought from Yenice on the Korkuteli road. The base of the monument is a reinforced concrete shell and it is hollow. 4 reinforced concrete columns bear the weight of the bronze statue. The names of the various phases of the War of Independence were tried to be written on the vertical surfaces on the pedestal, but it could not be completed.

The message that the Antalya National Ascension Monument wants to convey is as follows: The figures, located at the far end of the pedestal, that suddenly rise from the ground, represent our liberation, our unity and solidarity, and the modern Turkish State, which was established with a series of victories under the leadership of the great Atatürk. The dates on the base of the monument, starting from May 19, 1919, the victories that started the foundation process of the new Turkish State, the steps taken in the establishment of the state, the revolutions that gave the new Turkish State its modern identity, form the steps of the rapidly rising monument, starting from the ground. In addition, the steps below, on which various events and revolution dates are located, show the effort given for Hürriyet; At the top, the rearing "gemless" horse that Atatürk rode symbolizes independent ascension. Ataturk' The male-female figures next to the youth represent the guardianship of the country and the trust given to them. It is one of Turkey's most meaningful monuments.

National Ascension Monument

Source: Hüseyin Çimrin, Antalya Kent Tarihçisi

National Ascension Monument Images