The unearthing of a beforehand unknown 2-kilometer (1.25-mile) trench community and management middle from World War I has make clear an unprecedented protection construction in Antalya, designed to guard towards potential land and sea assaults within the Mediterranean province.
Retired Col. Sedat Akgül spearheaded the investigation after an Antalya Zoo employees member seen remnants of the primary battle positions within the area again in 2020. Collaborating with fellow retired colonels, Akgül confirmed these findings as trenches from the World War I period, representing a singular and vital discovery for Antalya, notably alongside the Mediterranean coast.
Detailing the creation of those defensive buildings, Akgül defined: “As the Çanakkale Front concluded in early 1916, both enemy forces and our troops were relocated. Anticipating potential threats, especially from British troops stationed on various Mediterranean islands and in Egypt’s Alexandria region, military authorities took measures to protect the Antalya region from potential naval blockades and land invasions.”
“At the behest of Enver Pasha, the Chief of General Staff during that period, construction commenced on defense trenches along the Antalya coastline in late 1917 to establish resistance against potential enemy incursions. The trenches found within this zoo site date back to this period,” he added.
Though estimated to span roughly 2 kilometers, solely about 250 meters of the trenches have been surveyed as a result of space’s stony and rocky terrain, which has inadvertently contributed to the preservation of those buildings.
Akgül emphasised the historic significance of this discovery, highlighting its potential as an academic and touristic web site akin to Çanakkale. “This area can serve as a valuable educational spot for students, future generations and tourists, given proper visual enhancements. The trenches and observation center stand as an unparalleled historical asset, offering vivid and clear insights into Antalya’s past, marking a landmark discovery for the region,” he concluded.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
