Treaty of Lausanne Monument and Museum

Treaty of Lausanne Monument
Lozan Anıtı
Treaty of Lausanne Monument with a bust of Ismet Inönü, the chief negotiator for Turkey, in foreground.
Coordinates 41°39′09″N 26°31′12″E / 41.65256°N 26.52005°E / 41.65256; 26.52005Coordinates: 41°39′09″N 26°31′12″E / 41.65256°N 26.52005°E / 41.65256; 26.52005
Location Karaağaç, Edirne, Turkey
Material Concrete
Height 36.45 m (119.6 ft)
31.95 m (104.8 ft)
17.45 m (57.3 ft)
Beginning date March 29, 1998 (1998-03-29)
Opening date July 19, 1998 (1998-07-19)
Dedicated to Treaty of Lausanne
Traety of Lausanne Museum
Lozan Müzesi
Established July 19, 1998 (1998-07-19)
Location Karaağaç, Edirne, Turkey
Type History
Founder Trakya University

The Treaty of Lausanne Monument and Museum (Turkish: Lozan Anıtı ve Müzesi) are a monument and a museum dedicated to the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923. The monument, opened in 1998, is located at Karaağaç, Edirne in Turkey, and the museum is next to it in the former train station building.

Background

The Treaty of Sèvres, that marked the end of World War I, was signed between the Ottoman Empire and the Allies on 10 August, 1920.

It was, however, rejected by the Turkish national movement due to significant loss of territory, and accordingy failed. Following the victorious Turkish War of Independence fought against the Allied forces of British Empire, French Republic, Kingdom of Italy and Kingdom of Greece, who had occupied a great portion of Turkish mainland, the Treaty of Lausanne was signed in Lausanne, Switzerland on 24 July, 1923.

This second peace treaty ended the conflict between the Turkish nationalists and the Allies, and also defined the borders of the modern Turkish Republic.[1][2]

In line with the treaty, the Greek-Turkish border was redrawn, and Karaağaç quarter of Edirne, on the south bank of the Maritsa river, was returned from Greece to Turkey. Karaağaç railway station, which was the main train station of Edirne, was in use until 1971 when a new station was built on the other side of the Maritsa.

The old railway station buildings and the surrounding area were subsequently assigned to Trakya University.[3][4]. and following redevelopment housed the university administration.

In 1996, the senate of Trakya University decided upon the establishment of a monument and a museum adjacent to the former railway station.

Breaking of the ground for the new monument took place on 29 March, 1998, and its construction took just four months. It was inaugurated by the then President Süleyman Demirel (in office 1993–2000) on 19 July, 1998, on the 75th anniversary of the Republic.[5][6]

The area surrounding the monument was established as a public park through the planting of 74 young trees to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic. Following this it was decided that every year a new young tree should be planted.

Trakya University budgeted the project to 148 billion (approximately US$617,000 at that time).[7]

Monument

Statue on the monument depicting the treaty and peace.

The monument consists of three concrete columns in different sizes, erected onto three separate concrete consoles, inclined at 45 degrees and standing on raft foundation. The longest column with 36.45 m (119.6 ft) height represents Anadolu (Anatolia) as the mainland of Turkey on Asia. The second column is 31.95 m (104.8 ft) tall and symbolizes Trakya (Thrace), the western part of Turkey on Europe. The third column, standing in the mid of the other two, represents Karaağaç with its 17.45 m (57.3 ft) height.[5][6]

A concrete ring at 7.20 m (23.6 ft) height, which ties the columns, represents unity and solidarity. In front of the ring, a 4.20 m (13.8 ft) tall metal statue of a young woman represents aesthetics, grace and justice. The young woman figure holds a dove in her left hand symbolizing peace and democracy, and a document in the right hand, which stands for the Treaty of Lausanne. A semicircular pool with 15 m (49 ft) radius at the feet of the monument represents the seas around three sides of Turkey.[6]

A bust of İsmet İnönü (1884–1973), who acted as the chief negotiator for Turkey during the Conference of Lausanne,[7] is situated at entrance inside the park.

Museum

A museum was established in the auxiliary building of Karaağaç railway station. It contains in two rooms all the documents, records and photographs belonging to the Treaty of Lausanne as well as personal belongings of İsmet İnönü and cartoons depicting him. Various books related to the peace treaty are displayed in the entrance hallway.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Treaty of Peace with Turkey signed at Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland, 24 July 1923, retrieved 28 November 2012
  2. ↑ "CO - Chemins de fer Orientaux". Trains of Turkey. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  3. ↑ "Edirne Karaağaç". Trains of Turkey. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  4. ↑ Güler, Olgay (2014-07-25). "Lozan'ın sönüşü". Edirne Hudut (in Turkish). Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  5. 1 2 "Edirne Anıtları-Lozan Anıtı" (in Turkish). Edirne Vergi Dairesi Başkanlığı. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Bilar, Ender. "Trakya University Lausanne Monument, Square and Museum". İnönü Foundation. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  7. 1 2 "Lausanne Treaty Being Symbolized in Edirne". Hürriyet Daily News. 1998-03-29. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
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