Mehmetçik Monument, Military memorial in Polatlı, Turkey.
The Mehmetçik Monument is a military memorial in Polatlı featuring a 22-meter (72-foot) copper-coated concrete statue of a Turkish soldier standing on a 10-meter (33-foot) base at Kartaltepe hill. The figure rises prominently above the landscape with outstretched arms, making it visible from considerable distances across the region.
The monument was erected at a historically significant location where Turkish forces successfully repelled Greek advances during the Battle of Sakarya in 1921. This battle proved to be a turning point in the struggle for Turkish independence.
The name comes from Mehmet, a common Turkish name, and honors all soldiers who served in the military. This symbolic connection runs deep in Turkish culture and represents the sacrifices made by those who defended the nation.
The memorial sits on a hillside west of Polatlı and is accessible via the D.200 highway that connects western Anatolia. The location offers good access with parking available at the base of the hill.
The soldier figure holds a rifle in his right hand while raising his left hand in a halting gesture. This pose captures both a readiness to defend and an appeal for peace, making it a powerful symbol of restraint and duty.
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