Project Type: Memorial

Competition Project, organized by Ankara Metropolitan Municipality in 2025

Location: Botanik Garden / Ankara / Türkiye

Yitim Anıtı, is dedicated to Turkish Foreign Affairs martyrs who were assassinated while serving in their official duties. The memorial is located in the Botanik Garden, a large recreational area surrounded by various embassies. This area also forms part of a historical axis linked to the establishment of Ankara as the capital city. The memorial’s design concept integrates symbolic elements to convey its meaning and significance.

Conceptual Design

For the design of the memorial, the symbolic ideas are integrated each other to conceptualize the design.
1) The crescent and star symbolize elements of the Turkish flag, where the red represents the blood of the martyrs, and the crescent and star are envisioned as reflecting upon it. 2) The White Pigeon, symbolizing peace, represents the role of ambassadors in fostering harmony between nations. 3) Each feather of the pigeon represents a martyr, coming together to form the pigeon as a symbol of unity and sacrifice. 4) The upward movement of the white pigeon symbolizes the ascension of our martyrs’ souls to the sky. 5)The Bridge serves as a link between nations, cultures, and histories, guided by the role of ambassadors.

Steel grated platforms were used in areas with dense tree cover to avoid damaging the trees. A new space was created without disturbing the existing terracing or the natural stone texture. Granite, a local material of Ankara, was used as flooring and as a monument material. The monument was placed at the highest elevation, in an area with high accessibility.