Sculpture of Barbarossa, Bronze monument in Beşiktaş, Turkey.
The Sculpture of Barbarossa is a bronze monument standing on the Beşiktaş waterfront, depicting the renowned Ottoman naval commander Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha. The work faces the Naval Museum and rests upon a stone base that bears commemorative inscriptions.
The monument was inaugurated in 1944 under the leadership of İsmet İnönü and honors Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, who expanded Ottoman naval dominance across the Mediterranean in the 1500s. The creation of this memorial reflects the nation's recognition of this influential naval commander.
The stone base bears verses from Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı's poem Bayram Sabahı, linking the sculpture to the nation's literary heritage. This inscription reflects how the figure connects to broader cultural memory and artistic expression.
The monument sits along the Beşiktaş waterfront with easy access via public transportation and nearby bus stops. Early morning or late afternoon provides the best lighting for photography and observation.
The piece was created through collaboration between two artists, Yusuf Akpınar and Ali Haydar Seymen, making it a shared creative vision rather than a single hand. This partnership reflects how monumental public works often emerge from the combined talents of multiple creators.
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