Anzac Day Turkey Tours 2025

Gallipoli Peninsula: A Place of Beauty and History

The Gallipoli Peninsula is located on the northwest coast of Turkey, bordered by the Dardanelles Strait leading to the Sea of Marmara on one side and the northern section of the Aegean Sea on the other. With its easy road access from Istanbul and ferry links to Çanakkale across the waterway, Gallipoli has become a popular destination. Visitors can enjoy stunning coastal views as they drive along the peninsula or take a ferry, adding to the wonder of this historic location. However, the beauty of Gallipoli is deeply intertwined with its history, as seen in the unused defense buildings and solemn memorials scattered across the landscape.

The Gallipoli Campaign (Battle of Canakkale)

The Gallipoli Campaign, known in Turkish as the Battle of Canakkale, began on 17th February 1915 and ended on 9th January 1916. This campaign, a key battle of World War I, is considered the only major Ottoman victory during the war. Despite the devastating toll on both sides, it is remembered as a pivotal moment in Turkish history.

The campaign is directly linked to the formation of the Turkish War of Independence, which eventually led to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, with Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as its first president. Atatürk, who served as a commander during the Gallipoli Campaign, played a decisive role in the Ottoman victory. His leadership at Gallipoli not only contributed to the success of the campaign but also marked the beginning of a national movement that would shape modern Turkey.

Gallipoli is also remembered as the birthplace of Australian and New Zealand national pride, as the sacrifices of their ANZAC troops during the campaign became central to their nations’ identities.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s Legacy

After the war, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk became the first president of the Turkish Republic and a symbol of unity and leadership. In 1934, Ataturk delivered a powerful and compassionate speech, reaching out to the mothers of the ANZAC soldiers who had fallen at Gallipoli. He acknowledged the shared humanity of the soldiers on both sides and reassured their families with these heartfelt words:

“You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.”

Ataturk’s words remain a profound gesture of reconciliation and peace, resonating deeply with all who visit Gallipoli to pay their respects.