Gallipoli Must-See Sights: Essential Stops for Anzac Day Commemoration

Every April 25, people from Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, and France gather to honor the soldiers who fell during the Allies' World War I campaign against Turkish forces at Gallipoli. While Anzac Day now commemorates all war losses, it holds profound significance worldwide. For many young Australians and New Zealanders, visiting the Anzac Commemorative Site is a pilgrimage. Though the campaign failed to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), an ally of Germany, it marked these nations' first major military engagement and shaped their national identities, distinct from Britain.

Turkey regards the event as a pivotal triumph for the underdogs, paving the way for the Turkish War of Independence and the Republic of Turkey. This victory is celebrated as the Çanakkale Naval Victory (Çanakkale Deniz Zaferi) on March 18.

The Gallipoli Peninsula draws thousands for the dawn Anzac Day service, one of Turkey's most attended events by international visitors. In 2005, over 20,000 marked the 90th anniversary, straining local facilities. Similar crowds flocked for the 2015 centenary.

Locals estimate around 5,000 annual visitors. Pre-dawn traffic jams from nearby Çanakkale often delay arrivals, prompting many to camp at the site overnight.

For deeper insights into the Gallipoli campaign, explore these key sights beyond Anzac Cove's iconic 600-meter beach:

• In Istanbul, the Askeri Müze (Military Museum) offers a Turkish perspective on Çanakkale. Highlights include artifacts like the watch that saved Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Gallipoli commander who led Turkey to victory.
• Near the peninsula's entrance, 50 km from Anzac Cove, Gelibolu's harbor town hosts the Gallipoli War Museum. Glass displays above and below, plus sandbags and barbed wire, vividly evoke the battle's human toll.
• Across the Dardanelles in Çanakkale, another Military Museum features compelling exhibits, such as fused mid-air bullets—a one-in-160-million occurrence underscoring the intense firepower.
• The 'Heavenly Island' of Gökçeada served as Allied Commander General Ian Hamilton's WWI base at Ayıncık village (then Kefalos) on its southeast coast—a pristine Aegean gem largely untouched by mass tourism.

Gallipoli's serene beauty shines year-round. Visiting outside peak crowds often deepens the emotional impact of this historic site.

By Jane Atkin, Lonely Planet online editorial team.

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