57th Infantry Regiment Martyrs' Memorial

The 57th Infantry Regiment was a unit established in Tekirdağ at the end of 1914, attached to the 19th Division. On the morning of April 25, 1915, the regiment encountered the Anzac landing at Conkbayırı and engaged in a battle where soldiers, having run out of ammunition, fought with bayonets. Almost the entire regiment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hüseyin Avni Bey, was martyred in this and subsequent clashes; the commander himself was martyred on August 13, 1915. Mustafa Kemal's order to this unit became one of the most remembered sayings in Turkish military history in later years.

There are three striking elements in the memorial area: an approximately 45-square-meter relief depicting the regiment's counter-attack, a bronze statue of Hüseyin Kaçmaz, and marble plaques inscribed with the names of the martyrs. The complex, designed by architect Nejat Dinçel, was completed in 1992. When taking photographs, it is important not to disturb the soldiers on guard or force them to pose; this issue is frequently mentioned in visitor comments.

It is approximately 25-30 km from Çanakkale city center. It can be reached by private car or by tour buses visiting the Gallipoli Peninsula. From Eceabat, turn off the road going towards Kabatepe onto the route leading up to Conkbayırı. Since it is difficult to reach by public transport, most visitors prefer regional martyr tours or rental cars.

The 57th Regiment Martyrs' Memorial is close to Conkbayırı, Kılıçbayır, and the Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial, so it is usually visited as part of single-day Gallipoli tours. Along the one-way vehicle road next to the memorial, there are trenches and old positions. Taking the time to visit this section as well is beneficial for understanding the battlefield.

The memorial itself is not a large area; visiting the monument, relief, and cemetery takes 20-30 minutes. However, for those who wish to read the names and reflect, or explore the trenches, this time can extend to 45 minutes-1 hour. For those wishing to visit the entire Gallipoli Peninsula, this stop is a small but important part of the daily itinerary.

As this is a martyrs' memorial, it is important to behave quietly and respectfully. Those wishing to take photos with the soldiers on guard should not disturb them; some visitors warn about this. Reading the regiment's story before coming enhances the impact of the visit. Weekday mornings are highlighted as the time when crowds are smaller.