The Anıtkabir (Great Tomb) in Ankara is a memorial and museum that houses the remains of Turkey’s first President, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. I have been about a dozen times over the years, and it has become perhaps my favorite place in the world to photograph. This is not only because of my own admiration for Atatürk, but also because very few graves in the world bring people together in such a beautiful way- people from different parts of the country, young and old, city people and country people, come to pay their respects and learn about the life and accomplishments of this incredible leader, who built modern Turkey out of nothing.

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Standing for a moment of silence as the guards rotate shifts. The tomb in front is that of Atatürk’s successor, İsmet İnönü.

The Aslan Yolu (Lion Road) leads to the main plaza.

Regardless of the weather, people still come out to see Atatürk every day.

Many things he used are on display, such as this boat.

Some of his cars are also on display, like this Cadillac.

During busy days like Çanakkale Victory Day (March 18th), the central plaza is much busier.

On state holidays, one might also see an enormous Turkish flag hanging at the entrance to the Hall of Honor.

Soldiers guard the Anıtkabir round the clock, and frequently rotate shifts.

A silhouetted guard looks out onto the main plaza.

People frequently pray for Atatürk’s soul in front of the symbolic sarcophagus.

He was famously secular, but is still buried facing Mecca.

Plenty of kids on field trips make the Anıtkabir a lively place.

A child sneaks up next to the symbolic sarcophagus. Atatürk was very kind and patient with children, and the soldiers gently ask them to come down when things like this happen.

A little girl runs back to her family after taking a photo with one of the soldiers.

A boy dashes ahead of his family into the Hall of Honor.

A man and his granddaughter in front of a relief portraying Turkey’s transformation from a ruined empire to a modern republic.

A soldier stands in front of a relief of Atatürk’s “Speech to the Turkish Youth”.

Another soldier stands in front of a relief of Atatürk’s “Tenth Year” speech, on the other side of the building.

A silhouetted soldier in the Hall of Honor.

A soldier faces the symbolic sarcophagus from outside the Hall of Honor.

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