Journey from Our Great Leader’s Room in Pera Palace to March 18th in the 110th Anniversary of the Glorious Victory

Pera Palace Hotel is one of the most iconic and special structures in Beyoğlu. This historical hotel, which opened its doors to visitors in the late 19th century, has witnessed important events and hosted many important names from the worlds of politics, art and literature. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was also among the most distinguished guests of this special place and left his mark on history with the time that he had spent here. Room 101, known as the Atatürk Museum Room in the hotel, still keeps his memory alive today while also serving as a time tunnel that takes us to the depths of history. Here, on the journey extending from this room to the 110th anniversary of the glorious victory in Çanakkale, we follow the footsteps of our great leader and feel the spirit of March 18th once again. Let’s take a short journey from our great leader’s room in Pera Palace Hotel to March 18th.

The Road to the Gallipoli Campaign

The March 18th Gallipoli Campaign is one of the most important turning points in the Turkish nation’s struggle for independence and freedom. The foundations of this victory were laid by strategic defense measures taken before the war. In the process leading up to the Gallipoli Campaign, the Ottoman Empire decided to put the defense plan of the strait into action after the mutual declarations of war in Europe. Starting from August 4th, mine lines began to be established in the straits and the straits were closed to all sea transportation. On November 3rd, 1914, French and British warships attacked the forts that are located at the entrance to the strait. This bombardment, which caused Çanakkale to lose its first martyrs, was almost a warning. Following this development, the British War Council officially accepted the Dardanelles Operation.

On February 19, 1915, the decision was made to launch the first attack on the strait. Although the fleet of British and French warships bombarded the forts at the entrance to the strait, they could not achieve their goals in this operation. Some of our defense lines were damaged by the new attacks that were carried out on February 25. However, by March, strategic mine lines were established to strengthen the Ottoman defense. These measures would be an important turning point that would change the course of the war and would play a decisive role in the victory achieved on March 18.

Victorious March 18 Operation

The operation plan on March 18, 1915, aimed to pass to Marmara by silencing the forts on the Bosphorus coast and opening mines on the first day. In the operation that started with the signal seen on the mast of Queen Elizabeth, the fleet was arranged in three lines. The ships in the first line bombarded the forts with their long-range guns. When the short-range guns of our forts fell silent, Admiral de Robeck advanced the second line, and the bombardment continued. However, when the old warships in the third line came within range of the Turkish artillery, the situation changed and the ships under fire began to retreat. The mines in the area where the turning maneuver was made caused the enemy ships to suffer great damage during the turn. As a result, Admiral de Robeck realized that he could not continue the operation and gave the order to retreat. As a result of this great resistance, the victory was won by the Turks.

The Most Powerful Example of Heroism and Sacrifice: Çanakkale Victory

The March 18 Çanakkale Victory is considered an unparalleled heroic epic in world history. This great resistance shown in Çanakkale goes down in history as one of the strongest examples of patriotism and sacrifice. The Turkish nation showed great heroism throughout the war and managed to prove to the whole world that Çanakkale was impassable. This victory is not only a great military success but also an indicator of the unwavering power of the Turkish soldier and the Turkish nation.

As the Turkish nation, we continue to remember the Çanakkale Victory every year with great gratitude, pride and respect. We remember with gratitude and love the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and all our heroic soldiers who sacrificed their lives for this country.

Atatürk Museum Room: A Journey to the Depths of History

The Pera Palace Hotel, also known as the Hotel of Firsts, is a special structure that has witnessed many important events since 1895. However, one of the factors that makes Pera Palace Hotel so important is, of course, the fact that it hosted the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, whose military genius on March 18 ensured the victory. Room 101 of the hotel is recorded as the place where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk frequently stayed between 1917 and 1926. It is also known that the Great Leader made important decisions regarding the future of the country here and carried out some of his work in this room.

Room 101 of Pera Palace Hotel still preserves the deep traces of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as it did on the first day. This room, which also witnessed the important meetings that Atatürk held during his time in İstanbul, hosts its visitors today as the Atatürk Museum Room. You can visit the Atatürk Museum Room every day between 10.00 – 11.00 and 15.00 – 16.00 and feel the traces of the Turkish nation’s struggle for independence in your heart once again.