Istanbul memorials preserve memory of failed 2016 coup
Türkiye is marking the 10th anniversary of the failed July 15, 2016 coup d’état, with Istanbul’s memorials and monuments serving as the backdrop for solemn commemorations honoring the civilians and security personnel who resisted the putsch.
Key sites of resistance included what is now the July 15 Martyrs Bridge, Saraçhane, Çengelköy, Atatürk Airport, Istanbul Police Headquarters, the Türk Telekom regional headquarters in Acıbadem and the Orhanlı toll booths.
Nationwide, 253 people were killed and more than 2,700 were injured while confronting the coup attempt, which was orchestrated by the FETÖ terrorist organization.
Among the city’s main commemorative sites is the July 15 Memory Museum, located at the entrance to the July 15 Martyrs Bridge. The museum documents the coup attempt alongside the history of military coups in Türkiye and abroad. Its exhibits include a civilian car crushed by a military tank during the events, immersive projection rooms recreating the night’s atmosphere with authentic footage and sound recordings, and personal belongings linked to those who resisted the coup.
