Bosphorus Bridge, Ankara’s main square to be renamed after July 15
ISTANBUL/ ANKARA
REUTERS photo
Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge, along with Ankara’s major public square Kızılay, are set to be renamed in reference to July 15 – the night of the recent failed coup attempt in Turkey.On July 26, one day after Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım announced a cabinet decision to rename the Bosphorus Bridge to “July 15 Martyrs’ Bridge” in dedication to the civilians killed on it while trying to avert the coup, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality announced plans to rename the republican-era Kızılay Square to “July 15 Kızılay Democracy Square.” It also stated that it would renaming a junction facing parliament to “July 15 Martyrs’ Square,” daily Sözcü reported.
Speaking on the plan to rename the squares, Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek said monuments would also be built to commemorate resistance to the coup attempt.
Kızlıay Square, located in the heart of the Turkish capital Ankara, is known as the central square of the city.
Regarding the Bosphorus Bridge, Yıldırım said the government had opted to rename the bridge as it was the “first target of the coup plotters” on the night of July 15, resulting in the deaths of several civilians.
The bridge - a key strategic point linking Europe to Asia - was blocked by soldiers late on July 15 in one of the first signs to Istanbul residents that a coup was in progress.
Backed by attack helicopters, the pro-coup soldiers later fired on the crowds who gathered on the bridge before eventually surrendering following protests by the overwhelming number of civilians.
Speaking on the plan to rename the squares, Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek said monuments would also be built to commemorate resistance to the coup attempt.
Kızlıay Square, located in the heart of the Turkish capital Ankara, is known as the central square of the city.
Regarding the Bosphorus Bridge, Yıldırım said the government had opted to rename the bridge as it was the “first target of the coup plotters” on the night of July 15, resulting in the deaths of several civilians.
The bridge - a key strategic point linking Europe to Asia - was blocked by soldiers late on July 15 in one of the first signs to Istanbul residents that a coup was in progress.
Backed by attack helicopters, the pro-coup soldiers later fired on the crowds who gathered on the bridge before eventually surrendering following protests by the overwhelming number of civilians.