 Monument Halkevi in the background | |
 Interactive map of Atatürk Monument | |
| Location | Mersin, Turkey |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°47′37″N34°37′32″E / 36.7935°N 34.6256°E /36.7935; 34.6256 |
| Designer | Kenan Yontuç |
| Type | Statue |
| Material | Bronze |
| Opening date | 1944 |
Atatürk Monument is a statue depictingMustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, inMersin,Turkey.
The monument is situated in the Cumhuriyet Square (Republic square) in Mersin at36°47′37″N34°37′31″E / 36.79361°N 34.62528°E /36.79361; 34.62528.Mersin Halkevi is to the northwest andİsmet İnönü Boulevard is to the southeast of the square. Up to the 1960s, theMediterranean Sea coast was just to the south, but after the construction ofMersin Harbor now the distance to seaside is about 250 metres (820 ft).[1]
Tevfik Sırrı Gür, the governor of Mersin Province in office between 1943 and 1947, was instrumental in building the monument.[2] It was erected in 1944 on 23 April, the 24th anniversary of the foundation ofTurkish parliament. Its creator wasTurkish sculpture professorKenan Yontunç, who had created a number of Atatürk statues before.[3][4]
The monument is a composed of a marble dais and a bronze statue ofAtatürk, the founder of modern Turkey in military uniform. The height of the statue is 3.3 metres (11 ft).[5]The dais is a raised platform which is situated in front of the statue.
