Republic Monument

The Republic Monument stands in the middle of Taksim Square and is the founding statement of the Turkish Republic rendered in bronze and marble. It was designed by the Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica, took two and a half years to build, and was unveiled on 8 August 1928, five years after the Republic was declared. It was paid for with financial support from the population rather than out of a single state purse, which is part of why it reads as a civic object rather than a court one.

What there is to look at is two faces that say two different things, and a visitor who sees only one has seen half the monument. The northern side shows Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the military dress of the Turkish War of Independence, presenting him as a commander in the field. Walk round to the southern side and the same man appears in modern Western clothing among his companions, presenting him as the statesman of the new republic.

Ten minutes, and that is a full visit rather than a rushed one. There is nothing to enter, nothing to buy and no interior circuit. The visit consists of walking the two faces of the sculptural group, standing long enough in front of each to pick out the figures, and stepping back far enough to read the whole eleven metres against the sky. Give roughly four minutes to the northern face, four to the southern, and the remainder to walking between them and finding the distance at which the monument composes.

The outdoor monument in Taksim Square is visible 24 hours daily; ceremonies, demonstrations and security cordons can restrict its perimeter. Dated event, worship, restoration, weather or security notices from the responsible operator take priority over the ordinary schedule. Arrive with enough time to complete the public route before the final admission period.

Viewing is free. The base admission does not include independently priced tours, events, transport or restricted sections unless the operator explicitly lists them. Carry the identity or concession document required by the published tariff.

M2 metro and F1 funicular terminate below Taksim Square; the monument stands at its centre. Use the named stop and entrance because steep streets, controlled compounds and separate exits can change the practical route. Allow extra time for the final walk and security where applicable.

Level paving, tactile routes and station lifts provide a step-free approach. Historic surfaces, crowds and security remain relevant. The outdoor monument in Taksim Square is visible 24 hours daily; ceremonies, demonstrations and security cordons can restrict its perimeter.

Eleven metres in an open square is an awkward subject, because the instinct is to step back until the whole thing fits and the result is a small object surrounded by traffic. Do the opposite. Move in close, shoot upward from near the base with a wide lens, and let the bronze figures rise against open sky; the low angle recovers the monumentality that the square's width takes away. The two faces need different treatment. The southern group in Western dress takes direct sun through the middle of the day and can be shot straightforwardly.