Atatürk University actively preserves and provides public access to monuments, memorials, and heritage buildings located within its main campus in Erzurum. These structures are of historical, architectural, and cultural significance, reflecting the region’s social and academic heritage. The university ensures that these areas remain freely accessible to students, visitors, and the local community as part of its mission to protect and share cultural heritage.
1. Campus Monuments and Memorial Sites
Atatürk Monument (Atatürk Anıtı)
Located at the main campus entrance, the Atatürk Monument stands as a central symbol of the university’s identity and values. The monument, surrounded by a landscaped ceremonial square, is open to the public 24 hours a day and regularly hosts national day ceremonies such as 29 October Republic Day, 10 November Commemoration of Atatürk, and 19 May Youth and Sports Day.
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The monument is a registered cultural landmark by Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality’s Cultural Heritage Department and serves as a civic gathering point for both university and city residents.
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Each year, the university’s Rectorate organizes public wreath-laying and commemoration ceremonies, attended by citizens, students, and staff.
🔗 Atatürk Üniversitesi Haber Portalı – 10 Kasım Anma Töreni
Bayrak Anıtı (Flag Monument)
Situated at the main boulevard of the central campus, the Bayrak Anıtı (Flag Monument) represents national unity and academic pride. The monument’s surrounding pedestrian plaza is landscaped for open public use and includes seating areas, walking paths, and green zones. It is a frequently visited spot by citizens, school groups, and alumni.
2. The Historical Stone House (“Taş Ev”)
Within the main campus lies the Taş Ev, a restored traditional Erzurum stone structure, dating back to the early Republican period. The building is constructed with regional bazalt and andesite stones, reflecting the characteristic local architectural style.
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The university restored the Taş Ev to preserve local craftsmanship and historical architecture, transforming it into a cultural meeting space and guest reception building.
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The building functions as a symbolic bridge between Erzurum’s traditional architectural heritage and the university’s modern identity.
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It is accessible to the public during office hours for educational visits, cultural events, and photography.
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Restoration was completed in cooperation with the Faculty of Architecture and Design, ensuring heritage-sensitive materials and techniques.
The Taş Ev is included in university tours for new students and visitors, and it is featured in Erzurum’s urban cultural route programs managed by the municipality and the university jointly.
3. Cultural and Natural Heritage Landscapes
The Atatürk University Main Campus, established in 1957, is one of Turkey’s largest green university campuses, integrating cultural and natural heritage within a landscaped environment.
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The central Atatürk Boulevard, ceremonial squares, and veteran memorial trees form part of the campus’s heritage landscape, all open to the public for walking, recreation, and photography.
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The University Park and Lake Area, located behind the Rectorate, is a publicly accessible natural site where local citizens and families visit throughout the year for social and cultural events.
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The campus landscape planning prioritizes the protection of endemic plant species, preservation of historic tree lines planted during the university’s foundation, and the integration of walking and cycling paths.
🔗 Atatürk Üniversitesi Çevre ve Peyzaj Düzenlemeleri
4. Public Access and Institutional Commitment
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All monuments, heritage buildings, and cultural landscapes are freely open to the public without restriction, including weekends and public holidays.
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The university’s Health, Culture, and Sports Department and Construction and Technical Affairs Office maintain these sites for safety, signage, and public visibility.
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The Rectorate’s public communications regularly announce open campus events encouraging citizens to visit and engage with university heritage.
🔗 Atatürk Üniversitesi Açık Kampüs Etkinlikleri
