Atatürk Monument

Atatürk Monument

Located in Izmir Cumhuriyet Square in front of the Büyük Efes Hotel, this monument was built by Italian Sculptor Pietro Canonica (1869-1962) in 1932. The pedestal design of the statue belongs to Master Architect Asım Kömürcü. The Atatürk monument was opened with the words of İsmet İnönü, the prime minister of the period, after the opening speech of İzmir Mayor Dr. Behçet Uz on 18 July 1932. This monument was built as a thank to Atatürk by the people of Izmir. 140.000 TL was spent for the construction of the statue and 40.000 for pedestals. As a relief on the pedestal of the statue, Atatürk's statement 'Armies, your first goal is the Mediterranean, forward! is written. On the front of the pedestal, a woman, a child and a soldier holding a flag are depicted. Thus, the total struggle of the nation in the War of Independence was intended to be explained. On the pedestal, Atatürk is depicted on a horse in uniform, pointing to the sea with his right hand.