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The Battle of Sakarya, from Alagöz to Duatepe
Photo: Murat Özsoy 1958 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's route In Atatürk's footsteps

The Battle of Sakarya, from Alagöz to Duatepe

A day on the battlefield of the Battle of Sakarya, 70–80 km west of Ankara, which lasted 22 days and 22 nights in the summer of 1921: the headquarters house at Alagöz from which Mustafa Kemal directed the battle, the Sakarya Martyrs' Victory Monument in Polatlı, Duatepe and the Mehmetçik Monument on Kartaltepe. The area has been a Historical National Park since 2015; you travel between the stops by car.

Duration1 days
Walk≈ 170 km by car
Stop4
Tickets0
AP

AnatoliaPass editorsIn Atatürk's footsteps collection · last checked 23 October 2026

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881–1938)His life, the War of Independence, the Republic and AnıtkabirRead →
The story in 4 parts

22 days at Sakarya

Part 1The army falls back to the Sakarya

After the battles of Kütahya–Eskişehir in the summer of 1921, the Turkish army withdrew east of the Sakarya River. On 5 August 1921 the Grand National Assembly made Mustafa Kemal Commander-in-Chief; the defence was established on the hills 70–80 km west of Ankara.

Part 2The farmhouse at Alagöz

On 12 August 1921 Mustafa Kemal went with the Chief of the General Staff, Fevzi Çakmak, to the front headquarters at Polatlı. The headquarters was at Alagöz, in the farmhouse of Türkoğlu Ali Ağa. Most of the battle, which began on 23 August and raged without pause for 22 days and 22 nights until 13 September, was directed from here; on 9 September the headquarters moved to the village of Karapınar, closer to the front.

Part 3Not a line, but a surface

In places the front bent back, and hills such as Kartaltepe and Duatepe changed hands. This concept of defence is known from the words recorded in the Nutuk (the Great Speech): "There is no line of defence; there is a surface of defence." Even if one line fell, the army would resist again at the nearest suitable position.

Part 4Gazi

The battle ended in victory for the Turkish army on 13 September 1921. On 19 September 1921 the Grand National Assembly conferred on Mustafa Kemal the rank of marshal and the title of Gazi. The battlefield was declared the Battle of Sakarya Historical National Park on 8 February 2015.

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Respect guidelines
  • The national park is a place of remembrance: keep quiet in the martyrs' cemeteries, don't step on the graves and don't climb the monuments.
  • Don't photograph anyone praying, leaving flowers or remembering a loved one.
  • Don't stray from the marked paths; the sun and wind are harsh on the hills, so bring water and a hat.

The places that shaped the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the founding of the Republic: Anıtkabir, Atatürk's mausoleum, and the first parliament buildings in Ankara; the road of the National Struggle (War of Independence) from Samsun to Erzurum; Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, where he died, and Harbiye, where he studied as a cadet; and the battlefield of the Battle of Sakarya. The Kocatepe–Dumlupınar and Gallipoli routes are in the "Remembrance and mourning" collection. Be quiet and respectful at Anıtkabir and at places of remembrance; check museum hours before you go.

Make your own version
  1. 1

    Alagöz Headquarters Museum

    Start: Ankara; on the Polatlı road, turn left ≈ 36 km from Ankara and take the 4 km road to the village of Alagöz (≈ 45 min) · stay 60 min

    The two-storey, twelve-room farmhouse of Türkoğlu Ali Ağa served as the Commander-in-Chief's headquarters during the Battle of Sakarya. It opened as a museum on 10 November 1968 and now comes under the Anıtkabir Command. On the upper floor, the Commander-in-Chief's Room, the General Staff Room and Atatürk's bedroom have been recreated as they were in the days of the battle; the bedspread, blanket and hand mirror are among the items he used.

    Alagöz Headquarters Museum
    Photo: Murat Özsoy 1958 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

    According to the sign at the door, open 09:00–12:30 and 13:30–17:00, closed on Mondays; check before you go.

  2. 2

    Sakarya Martyrs' Victory Monument and Central Martyrs' Cemetery

    ≈ 35 km, 35 min; the hill north of central Polatlı · stay 60 min

    Construction of the monument began on 13 September 1971 and it was unveiled on 28 October 1973. On the hill, reached by 420 steps, rise 42 pairs of columns symbolising the nights and days of the battle; the small museum inside holds busts of Atatürk, Fevzi Çakmak and İsmet İnönü and the names of the commanders. The fallen from the surrounding villages were moved to the central martyrs' cemetery beside it.

    Sakarya Martyrs' Victory Monument and Central Martyrs' Cemetery
    Photo: Murat Özsoy 1958 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Closed on Mondays, other days 09:00–17:00 (national park page); check before you go.

  3. 3

    Duatepe

    ≈ 8 km west, 15 min; have lunch in Polatlı · stay 45 min

    One of the hills commanding the crossings of the Sakarya River and the scene of some of the fiercest fighting of the battle. From around the monument on the summit you can see the plain of the battlefield and the Sakarya valley.

    Duatepe
    Photo: Buzancar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Check whether the road up the hill and the monument area are open before you go.

  4. 4

    Kartaltepe · Mehmetçik Monument and Visitor Centre

    ≈ 4 km south, 10 min · stay 75 min

    Kartaltepe, which commands the İğciler pass on the Ankara–Eskişehir road, fell to the enemy on 31 August and was retaken on 12 September by regiments of the 1st Division. On the hill stand the 32-metre Mehmetçik Monument by Assoc. Prof. Said Rüstem and the Battle of Sakarya and Turkish History Visitor Centre.

    Kartaltepe · Mehmetçik Monument and Visitor Centre
    Photo: Mka0655 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, other days 10:00–17:00 (national park page); so plan the route for Wednesday to Sunday and check before you go.

One more day? Bursa.

Outside Istanbul

≈ 2 h 15 min · fast ferry + bus · Day trip

Why here: The first Ottoman capital. The Green Mosque, the Grand Mosque and Koza Han make an easy day trip; we suggest it if you are staying in Istanbul for more than four days. Not part of this route.

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