Dumlupınar Martyrs' Cemetery, located in Kütahya's Dumlupınar district, commemorates the Turkish War of Independence with the Three Commanders Monument and symbolic graves on the lands where the August 30, 1922 Commander-in-Chief Battle was won; the cemetery area is free, but the adjacent diorama museum has an entrance fee.
Dumlupınar Martyrs' Cemetery is located on the lands where the Commander-in-Chief Battle ended on August 30, 1922. It was built by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and opened to visitors on August 30, 1992, the 70th anniversary of the Great Offensive. The area features the Three Commanders Monument (in memory of Atatürk, İsmet Pasha, and Fevzi Çakmak), the Militia Monument, symbolic martyr graves for 500 people, the Martyr Father-Son Monument, the Mehmetçik Monument, as well as a prayer area (namazgâh) and a fountain (şadırvan).
The story of the Martyr Father-Son Monument is the most talked-about section by visitors. Çetmili Kara Ali Çavuş left his 8-year-old son Mehmet in his village in 1912 to go to the front. 11 years later, during the Commander-in-Chief Battle, he met his son, Mehmet, who was now a 19-year-old regimental standard-bearer. Ali Çavuş was martyred in his son's arms on August 31, 1922. Corporal Mehmet was also martyred a few days later at the head of the unit entering İzmir. In 2023, a viewing terrace was added to the area for the 100th Anniversary of the Republic, and a visual information section describing August 30th was prepared. Visitors say that looking from the viewing hill makes it easier to imagine the atmosphere of that day.
The cemetery area itself is free, but there is an entrance fee for the adjacent museum (with diorama displays). Some visitors note that the museum card is not valid here. General maintenance and landscaping are praised in comments, but one visitor complained about neglect regarding litter. This may vary by season.
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Guide's Note
About Dumlupınar Martyrs' Cemetery
The cemetery was established in memory of the soldiers martyred on all fronts during the War of Independence. It was opened to visitors on August 30, 1992, the 70th anniversary of the Great Offensive. The project was designed by High Architect Nejat Dinçel; it consists of prayer areas (namazgâh), fountains (şadırvan), parking, and cemetery sections. The area contains symbolic martyr graves and epitaphs for 500 people.
Best Time to Visit
During August 26-30 Victory Week, large groups of visitors come to the region, and ceremonies and commemoration events are held on these dates. For a quiet trip away from the crowds, spring or autumn months are more relaxed. In summer, the open area can be hot during midday, so early morning or late afternoon hours may be preferred.
How to Get There
The cemetery is located on the Kütahya-Uşak-İzmir highway, 3 km from the Dumlupınar district center. It is approximately 83 km from Kütahya city center by private car. Those preferring public transport can use Dumlupınar district buses or minibuses. A parking area is available.
Good Spots for Photos
The viewing terrace added in 2023 is the most striking photo spot in the area. From here, you can see the Three Commanders Monument and the cemetery area from above. The large statue visible from the road in the distance is also the first structure visitors notice. The area in front of the Martyr Father-Son Monument is a special stop for those who know its story.
Things to Note
Although the cemetery area is free, entrance to the adjacent diorama museum is subject to a fee, and the museum card is not valid here. While the general maintenance of the area is praised in comments, complaints about litter and disorganization are also seen from time to time. This may vary depending on the season and visitor density. The cemetery is an area that requires respect, and it is important to act accordingly.
How Much Time to Allocate
Visiting the cemetery and its monuments takes 30-40 minutes. If you also visit the diorama museum, a total of 1-1.5 hours is sufficient. If you are coming from Kütahya city center, factor in travel time; it's suitable for a day trip.
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