The Sarayburnu Atatürk Statue holds the distinction of being the first figurative sculpture for which Mustafa Kemal Atatürk personally posed as a model. It is also recognized as the first monumental Atatürk statue in Istanbul. The work is located within the historical peninsula, in a 1st Degree Urban and Archaeological Protected Area as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Furthermore, it was officially registered as a 1st Degree Immovable Cultural Property in Need of Protection by the decision of the Istanbul No. 4 Regional Board for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, dated 3 June 2015 and numbered 3568.
The Atatürk Statue at Sarayburnu (Department of Parks, Gardens and Green Areas, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM))
The History of the Monument
The idea of erecting the statue was proposed by Emin Erkul, the then Mayor of Istanbul, and subsequently approved by the Municipal Council. A commission was formed, and preparations commenced accordingly. The foundation of the monument was laid on 25 August 1925 at Sarayburnu, the site from which Atatürk departed for Samsun to initiate the Turkish War of Independence.
The statue was created by Austrian sculptor Heinrich Krippel in his workshop in Austria, and its bronze casting was executed by the Vienna United Metalworks. The statue was transported to Istanbul in sections and assembled under Krippel’s supervision at its current location.
The unveiling ceremony took place on 3 October 1926.
Characteristics of the Monument
The monument consists of two main parts: a pedestal and the statue itself.
The statue portrays Atatürk in civilian attire. Standing at approximately 3 meters in height, the figure is elevated on a rectangular pedestal made of marble and granite, which tapers slightly upwards.
The pedestal is positioned upon a two-tiered rectangular platform. It is surrounded by a wall approximately 70 centimeters high, featuring a coffered upper section with intervening columns.
Access to the pedestal is provided by a series of steps located on the northern side of the monument.
Historically, bronze medallions adorned three facades of the pedestal; however, these medallions have not survived to the present day.
Restoration Work
As part of a project initiated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the processes of survey, restitution, and restoration of the monument were undertaken. Under the project, approved on 16 August 2018, the following interventions were planned:
- Elimination of surface wear on marble sections,
- Renewal of joint fillings,
- Cleaning of surface deposits,
- Prevention of moisture accumulation beneath the pedestal,
- Repair of surrounding stone pavements.
Additionally, the Sarayburnu Park Landscaping Project was approved by decision no. 6095, dated 21 February 2018, of the Istanbul No. 6 Regional Board for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage.
Sarayburnu Park (Department of Parks, Gardens and Green Areas, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM))
