Kahramankazan, located in the western part of Ankara Province, is a district known for its prominent civilian resistance during the attempted military coup on July 15, 2016. That night, the district became symbolic for its determined stand, with 9 citizens martyred and 92 injured. In recognition of this critical resistance, the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) officially granted the district the honorary title of "Kahraman" (Hero) on October 25, 2016, changing its name from "Kazan" to Kahramankazan.

^{Kahramankazan District (AA)}

Geographical and Socioeconomic Structure

As of 2020, Kahramankazan has a population of approximately 60,000. Agriculture plays a significant role in the district’s economy. The local population is engaged in cultivating various crops, particularly grains such as wheat, barley, and corn. Livestock farming is also widespread, with both small and large animal husbandry serving as key sources of livelihood. The region's natural resources and fertile soil support the economic well-being of its inhabitants.

Strategically important military facilities, such as Mürted Airfield (formerly Akıncı Air Base, renamed after the July 15 coup attempt), are located near Kahramankazan. This enhances the district’s economic and strategic importance within both Ankara and Türkiye as a whole.

History

Kahramankazan is located in the Central Anatolia Region, an area rich in historical heritage. Throughout history, the region came under the rule of several civilizations, including the Hittites, Romans, and Byzantines. The cultural and archaeological remnants left by these civilizations form the foundation of the district’s historical fabric.

The origin of the district’s name dates back to the Battle of Ankara in 1402, fought between Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I and Tamerlane (Timur) in the Çubuk Plain. During the battle, food for the soldiers was prepared in large cauldrons ("kazan" in Turkish), and the area where these cauldrons were located became known as “Kazan.” Thus, the name of the district is derived from a historical event.

Neighborhoods

Significant Neighborhoods

• Karalar Neighborhood: The Asarkaya Massif, located in this neighborhood, was an important settlement during the Classical Period. Characterized by rock-carved dwellings and surrounding walls, it is believed to have served as a military garrison at one time. Numerous ceramic fragments from the Roman era have been discovered in the area. Karalar is also rich in royal tombs and other historical artifacts.

• Bitik Neighborhood: In 1942, excavations at the Bitik Mound revealed settlement layers from the Chalcolithic Age, the Hittite period, and the Classical Age. Multi-colored ceramics and structures associated with Hittite architecture were unearthed. This neighborhood holds significant value for understanding early civilizations.

• Saray Neighborhood: This is the primary industrial zone of the district. Although it is not formally designated as an organized industrial zone, its business volume and number of employees exceed those of many official industrial areas. It hosts production facilities in sectors such as steel construction, machinery, food, construction, chemicals, transportation, and defense industries.

The District’s Role During the July 15, 2016, Coup Attempt

On the night of July 15, 2016, the 4th Main Jet Base Command (Akıncı Air Base), located in the district, became one of the central hubs of the military coup attempt. It was later confirmed that high-ranking commanders, including the Chief of General Staff, were held captive at this base, and that the coup planning was coordinated from this location.

Following President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s call for citizens to take to the streets, thousands of Kazan residents initially headed toward Esenboğa Airport. Upon learning that F-16 jets were taking off from Akıncı Air Base, they redirected their course toward the base. Approximately 8,000 civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, gathered in front of the base. To block aircraft operations, they moved onto the runway, burned hay bales, tractor tires, and crops to create heavy smoke, and sealed off access routes to the base. Municipality crews and citizens worked in coordination to block all roads leading to the area.

In response, putschist soldiers opened fire on the civilians, killing nine people and injuring ninety-two. The resistance mounted in the district during this period was described by local officials as “a second Gallipoli and has shown as proof that we are the descendants of our glorious ancestors.”^【1】  Citizens expressed their mindset that night as: “Either we would lie in front of the F-16s, or we would lie in our graves.”^【2】 

^{The First Site of Civil Resistance Against the Traitors: Kahramankazan (TRT News)}

Honorary Title of “Kahraman” and Its Social Reflections

Following the resistance displayed in the district on the night of July 15, widespread demands emerged—both locally and nationally—for the district to be awarded the honorary title of “Kahraman (Hero).” On October 26, 2016, the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) unanimously approved the name change, officially designating the district as “Kahramankazan” (“Heroic Kazan”).^【3】  This decision was met with great enthusiasm by residents, and the prevailing public sentiment interpreted the title not solely as a tribute to the district but as an honor extended to the entire Turkish people. In local narratives, this designation has been seen not just as symbolic, but also as a shared expression of collective memory.

July 15 Martyrs and Democracy Museum

To preserve and convey the memory of the events that occurred during the coup attempt, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism established the July 15 Martyrs and Democracy Museum in Kahramankazan. Opened in 2019, the museum was built with a budget of 17 million Turkish lira and spans approximately 3,600 square meters of enclosed space. It includes exhibition halls, a conference auditorium, a children’s workshop, digital archive kiosks, and interview areas featuring veterans.

At the museum’s entrance, visitors encounter a chronological timeline narrating the events of the night of July 15, photo displays of what unfolded in Kahramankazan, and audio-enhanced exhibits. Personal belongings of the nine martyrs from Kahramankazan, as well as short films dedicated to their stories, are presented throughout the museum. President Erdoğan’s account of that night is also displayed via digital screens. Situated within an integrated landscape plan that includes the Ova Çayı National Garden, the museum functions both as a commemorative site and as a public gathering space.

^{July 15 Martyrs and Democracy Museum (AA)}

Veterans and Collective Memory

In Kahramankazan, a variety of social support programs are implemented for veterans and the families of martyrs. Local associations, municipal departments, and volunteer organizations lead initiatives that span from healthcare services to community solidarity. Veterans often emphasize that they act with full awareness of the social responsibility that comes with their title, and their words, such as “the blood shed for the homeland is sacred,” have become embedded in the collective memory of the district.