Halileli: History in Troya-Tarihi National Park

Halileli brings together the history of the Dardanelles Campaigns and distinctive details in the village. Local points of interest include the Halileli guns, the Halileli Şehitliği memorial and fountains whose construction features invite closer inspection.

Memorial Sites in Halileli

The Halileli guns are among the four artillery positions in Troya-Tarihi National Park that were used during the Dardanelles Campaigns. The Halileli Şehitliği memorial is also located on the hills above Halileli. It is dedicated to Lieutenant Hilmi Efendi, who came from Kayseri and served in Kumkale in the 6th Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 31st Regiment. These two points of reference highlight different aspects of history: one concerns military positions in the park, the other a memorial to an officer and his service in Kumkale. Those interested in the history of the Dardanelles will find two specific points of interest in Halileli.

Fountains and Architectural Details

Fountains also offer a glimpse of details in the village. One fountain, about 200 metres east of the village square, has a base; the fountain rim has rope grooves. A field survey conducted between 2014 and 2017 recorded these features. As its condition may have changed since then, it is best to check the latest information before visiting. The survey also documented the spring without a collection basin at the garden wall of the village school. At the time, it was considered the only spring of its kind still in use in Troya-Tarihi National Park, and differed in its architecture and use from other springs without collection basins in the park. A cemetery about 400 metres southwest of the village contains numerous Islamic gravestones with features dating to the Ottoman period.

Halileli in the Context of the Park

The entire village of Halileli lies within Troya-Tarihi National Park. The park was designated in 1996 and added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998; it covers an area of 135,172 decares. The ancient city of Troya is considered the park’s most important asset. It is associated with the mythical ten-year battles between the Trojans and Achaeans described by Homer in the Iliad and the Odyssey. Halileli’s specific memorial sites are therefore part of a wider context that also encompasses the ancient city and its mythical tradition.

More Things to Explore in the Wider Destination of Çanakkale

The wider destination of Çanakkale offers other subjects that take you beyond Halileli. The Çanakkale City Museum and Archive covers local mythology, antiquity and the Ottoman period in its permanent exhibitions. The Çanakkale Naval Museum is located in Çimenlik Kalesi, built in 1452 at the narrowest point of the Dardanelles to defend Istanbul. Çocuk Kültür Evi prepares interdisciplinary workshop programmes for children aged 5 to 15. Its library lends books to children and parents and offers activities such as creative reading, creative writing and author talks. Check the current programme in advance, as individual activities may change.

Choose the Right Focus

When looking for a holiday apartment, start by asking what you want your trip to focus on: Halileli’s memorial, artillery history and architectural details, or the wider range of museums and cultural offerings in Çanakkale. Choose your location based on that focus; check specific workshop dates in advance.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sarıot, Çan, Bektaş Köyü, Bardakçılar, Taşağıl, Çanakkale, Uğurlu, Koruköy Köyü

For the wider travel overview: Çanakkale.