Çanakkale

Çanakkale is a city and the administrative center of Çanakkale Province in the Marmara region of northwestern Turkey. It sits on the European side of the Dardanelles strait at the entrance to the Aegean Sea, opposite the Gallipoli peninsula on the Asian shore. The strait connects the Aegean with the Sea of Marmara and, via the Bosporus, the Black Sea.

The area has a long history as a crossroads of civilizations. The ancient site of Troy lies nearby, and the region has been part of Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman realms at different times. The city has grown as a commercial and cultural center in modern Turkey.

Çanakkale is a port city and a gateway to the region’s historical and natural attractions. Local institutions include the Çanakkale Archaeological Museum, which houses artifacts from Troy and other sites, and the city’s Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi) in its central square.

It is best known internationally for the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915–1916, fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The campaign is a major site of military history and commemoration for Turkey and many other countries.

Transportation developments have strengthened its role as a gateway between Europe and Asia. In 2022 the Çanakkale 1915 Bridge opened across the Dardanelles, linking the two shores and improving road connections across the strait.