Walking in History

Gallipoli

Night view of the Memorial at Eceabat

Our RSL (no relation) Tour allowed us a half day at Troy and a very full day at Gallipoli.  A smart move indeed.  Having overnighted at Eceabat, our morning tour took in the south peninsular.  We stopped at a number of cemeteries and memorials, mostly French, British and Turkish before stopping at a new information centre that dramatically explained the events of the time – with 3D glasses and moving platforms too. 

The Gallipoli campaign lasted 9 months and inflicted some half million casualties.  This small area is now home to 31 war cemeteries and monuments to the Turks, British, French, Aussies and Kiwis.

Main Turkish Monument

The distance between battlefields is quite amazing, and covers some 35km over its entirety.  Hasan, our guide was no lightweight in battle facts and was able to explain the events of the period in quite some detail.  Hasan also told us that Aussies & Kiwis (surprisingly) make up the majority of foreign visitors to the Battlefields area.  And yes, we were stopped for a photo op at the request of some local visitors. 

Trenches on 2nd Ridge

After lunch, we picked up those who were taking in the Australian & Kiwi Battlefields (after their 6 hour bus trip down...) and launched into the north end tour. 

Being a Saturday, the place was crowded with tourists, many locals, wanting to understand their own history and pay homage to their hero, General Ataturk.  Hasan took us to the second ridge where we saw trenches of both sides (so close) amid the pines and cemeteries and memorials to ANZAC soldiers. 

Lone Pine Memorial

ANZAC Cove to North Beach walk

Our last stop was the impressive ANZAC Cove and North Beach where we were able to walk along the stretch of coast where so many lives were lost.  The peninsular, green and studded with bright red poppies, is quite eerily beautiful.  Its strategic location however, has made it the site of many a battle over the years of man’s quest for power, wealth and control.  With such a poignant recent history though, it was quite a day.

We all snored our way back to Istanbul (another 6 hours in a bus) arriving at our hotels after midnight – exhausted but reflective and very glad to have taken the time to visit Gelibolu.

Ataturk Memorial