Viewpoint
Damal Atatürk Silhouette
Damal, Ardahan
A natural light-and-shadow phenomenon in June–July near sunset, when the shadow falling on the Karadağ ridges forms a silhouette resembling Atatürk's profile.
Safety warning
Its story
On the Karadağ ridges in Damal, as the sun approaches setting, the shadow of the neighboring hill falls on the mountainside and a silhouette resembling Atatürk's profile appears. Each year, roughly between June 15 and July 15, on cloudless days, the phenomenon can be watched for about 15–20 minutes at around 17:55–18:10; the best viewing spot is on the Ata neighborhood side. The silhouette was first noticed in 1954 by Adıgüzel Kırmızıgül, a shepherd in the village of Yukarı Gündeş, and became known through photographs taken by journalist Erdoğan Kumru in 1975. Since 1995, the 'Damal Festival in Atatürk's Footsteps and Shadow' has been held in July, and the site is protected as a natural heritage site. Since clouds and fog can prevent the silhouette from forming, on some days it may not appear at all.
Key facts
- Time
- about 17:55–18:10
- Admission
- Open area
- Best time
- June 15 – July 15
- Getting there
- Damal, Ata neighborhood side
Trip purpose
- Free
- Seasonal
- Photography
Location
41.36584, 42.80977
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://www.haberturk.com/ataturkun-silueti-sevincle-karsilandi-3806871 | https://goturkiye.com/ardahan/see | https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damal | https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/4893542259