Page 14 - English 11 | Activity Book 6

Reading Activity

2 Read the description and complete the information about Anıtkabir.

All countries have a hero in their independence history. Even if you don’t know Turkish history, you should
have read the Turkish Independence War and heard of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of today’s Turkish
th
Republic and one of the significant figures of the 20 century.
Anıtkabir or Atatürk’s Mausoleum, which stands in the middle of Ankara and gleams at night, is the first
meeting point for visitors arriving in Ankara.
Anıtkabir is the symbol of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Turkish Republic. In almost all brochures introducing
Turkey, Ankara is symbolised by Anıtkabir. It is located on top of a hill called Anıttepe in the city centre.
th
When Atatürk died on November 10 , 1938, he was temporarily buried at the Ethnographic Museum in Ankara.
Then an international competition was announced for a mausoleum, specifying that the designs should
symbolise the achievements and personality of Atatürk and, through him, the Turkish nation. After evaluating
forty-nine designs, the joint project of Turkish architects Prof. Dr Emin Onat and Asst. Prof. Dr Orhan Arda was
th
selected. The construction of Anıtkabir was started on November 9 , 1944, with a magnificent ceremony.
Construction was completed in 9 years. The superb mausoleum, Anıtkabir, was completed in 1953. There are
three groups of statues in the mausoleum. Behind the figures, you see the Lion Road. Twenty-four statues

of Hittite lions symbolised serenity, power, and protectiveness. This road leads into an open square which
is called Victory Square. Atatürk’s mausoleum is on the left of the court. Atatürk’s civil and official clothes,
personal belongings, various gifts presented to him, many documents, photos, and books are exhibited at
Anıtkabir. It is open every day between 09:00 and 17:00.

Anıtkabir
Symbolises: _______________________________________________________

The reason for the construction: ___________________________________________
Location: _______________________________________________________

Completed year: _______________________________________________________
Designed by: _______________________________________________________

Lions represent: _______________________________________________________
Name of the square: _______________________________________________________

Exhibits: _______________________________________________________
Opening time: _______________________________________________________

Closing date: _______________________________________________________
Open days: _______________________________________________________

ORTAÖĞRETİM 14 ENGLISH-11
GENEL MÜDÜRLÜĞÜ