Ankara Parachute Tower

Ankara Parachute Tower
Ankara Parachute Tower in 2023
Map
Former namesTurkishbird Parachute Tower[1]
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeParachute tower
LocationAltındağ, Ankara, Turkey
Current tenantsTurkish Aeronautical Association Museum
Construction started1935
Completed1937
Opened28 October 1937 (1937-10-28)
OwnerTurkish Aeronautical Association
Height41
Technical details
MaterialReinforced concrete
Floor count4
Lifts/elevators1
Design and construction
Architect(s)Bedri Tümay

The Ankara Parachute Tower is a parachute tower located in the Altındağ district of Ankara, Turkey. It is built in the northwest of the former 19 May Stadium. It is one of the two towers serving in Turkey, along with the İzmir Parachute Tower. Currently, it is affiliated with the Turkish Aeronautical Association Museum.

History

The idea of constructing a parachute tower in Ankara first emerged when the then-mayor of İzmir, Behçet Uz, admired the parachute tower in Gorky Park during a visit to the Soviet Union and prepared a report suggesting the construction of a similar structure in Turkey. The significant attention given to the aviation sector in the early years of the Republic accelerated the realization of this idea. Initially planned to have a parachute tower in the three largest cities of the country, namely Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir, the project in Istanbul was canceled due to high costs.[2]

The construction of the Ankara Parachute Tower, along with its counterpart in İzmir, was completed simultaneously in 1937. The opening ceremony took place on October 28, 1937, with the participation of the then-Prime Minister Celâl Bayar. The tower underwent external facade restoration in 1982,[3] and on April 4, 1989, it was registered and placed under protection by the Ankara Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Regional Board with decision number 759.

Architecture

The tower, designed by architect Bedri Tümay, is 4 stories high and 41 meters tall.[4][5] It is designed with a total of 3 balconies, each with a jump platform. Connectivity between floors is provided by stairs and an elevator. At the top, there is a double-weight parachute release winch.[6]

References

  1. ^ "B. Celal Bayar opens Ankara parachute tower" (PDF) (in Turkish). No. 5840. Ulus. October 29, 1937. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  2. ^ Arslan Alp; Aşkan (June 2011). "Architectural Developments at the Izmir International Fair between 1936-1940". Architecture and Urban Planning in Izmir between 1922-1960 (in Turkish). Istanbul: Istanbul Technical University Institute of Science. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  3. ^ "From the Turkish Aeronautical Association Presidency" (PDF) (in Turkish). No. 17788. Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey. August 20, 1982. p. 60. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  4. ^ "Bedri Tümay" (PDF) (in Turkish). p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 12, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  5. ^ Özlem Mengilibörü; Can Mengilibörü; Aydın Bodur (November 2014). "Uğur Kavas: In Pursuit of Ankara Passion in Photography" (PDF). Solfasol (in Turkish). 4 (43). Ankara: 18–19. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  6. ^ Lale (January 2022). ""After 82 Years of Ankara 19 May Stadium"..." Free Architect (in Turkish) (43). Ankara: Turkish Association of Independent Architects: 64–71. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.