ATATÜRK AND BORNOVA

Gazi Pasha's Garden

Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk knew very well that the true struggle for liberation lay in the fields of education, industry, and economics. The Bornova School of Agriculture proved its special place in this struggle through Atatürk's frequent visits.

Gazi Pasha at the Bornova School of Agriculture

Previously used as a Jewish agricultural school and left idle for a time, the Bornova School of Agriculture was opened in December 1922 — just three months after September 9, 1922 — and stands as the greatest testament to Atatürk's faith and determination in this struggle. Known today by its founding name “İzmir District School of Agriculture,” the Bornova School of Agriculture was one of Turkey's proudest educational institutions in the early years of the Republic.

The school's founding mission was defined as “equipping and nurturing Turkish youth at the School of Agriculture with the material and moral knowledge to earn their living through their own labor.” The primary aim was to provide agricultural education; however, the newly founded Republic of Turkey also needed well-equipped, patriotic young people who would champion the Republic. For this reason, the Bornova School of Agriculture also adopted the principle of raising young people who would serve as guides to the public and the rural population.

Historical Development

It Became the Foundation of Ege University

Gazi Pasha had also visited the garden where the Bornova School of Agriculture was located in 1922; however, his first visit after the school became operational was on October 15, 1925. That day, he observed the work being done and received information from the school principal and teachers.

His third visit was on June 18, 1926. That evening, a special arrangement was made in the garden in Atatürk's honor. As can be seen, Mustafa Kemal Pasha was extremely pleased, and by the time he departed from Bornova, a bust of Atatürk created by Austrian sculptor Heinrich Krippel had been erected in the school's garden.

June 22, 1926

According to press statements by Abidin Bey (Ege), the school's principal at the time, Atatürk also attended the unveiling of this bust on June 22, 1926. This bust is the first Atatürk monument in Turkey. Atatürk's attendance at this monument's unveiling was his fourth visit to the School of Agriculture.

Transformation into Ege University

On March 2, 1930, Atatürk visited the Bornova School of Agriculture for the fifth time and had lunch together with the students. Due to the increasing number of students and the inadequacy of the buildings, the school moved into its new building — whose foundation had been laid in 1931 — in 1933.

Gazi Pasha's sixth visit was on the occasion of this new building's opening. This building, as we know it today, now serves as Ege University's Department of Computer Engineering.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk made his final visit to the Bornova School of Agriculture on June 22, 1934, together with the Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi. He tasted Bornova's famous muscat grapes and had coffee with Shah Pahlavi.

The Bornova School of Agriculture, with the founding of Ege University in 1955, transferred its mission to the Ege University Faculty of Agriculture, thus forming the foundation of the university.

This garden and these buildings, which Mustafa Kemal Atatürk visited a total of 7 times, are a source of pride for Ege University, for Bornova, and for all of Izmir.

Visit Chronology

Atatürk's Visits to the School of Agriculture

1922

First visit to the garden (school not yet opened)

October 15, 1925

First visit after the school became operational. He observed the work being done and received information from the principal and teachers.

June 18, 1926

A special arrangement was held in the garden in his honor.

June 22, 1926

Unveiling of the Atatürk bust by Heinrich Krippel – the first Atatürk monument in Turkey.

March 2, 1930

Fifth visit. Had lunch together with the students.

1933

Sixth visit for the opening of the new building.

June 22, 1934

Final visit, together with the Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi. They tasted Bornova's famous muscat grapes.

Source: Hikayeler Şehri Bornova – Altan Altın