The exhibition, which crowns the underwater research initiated by the Directorate of Gallipoli Historical Site of the Çanakkale Wars in 2017, has been opened to visitors under the concept of "SCANNING THE PAST." The lighthouse, built in 1856 by the French General Directorate of Lighthouses on a promontory at the southernmost tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula to guide military vessels after the Crimean War, now plays host to this small museum.
It is known that the lighthouse, which was observed to be damaged in photographs taken during the Çanakkale battles, took its final form in 1918 and has been referred to as the Mehmetçik Lighthouse ever since. Standing 50 meters above sea level, four rooms of the lighthouse's 60-square-meter residential building serve the exhibition.
The first room contains information regarding the struggle at sea during the Çanakkale War, as well as the remains of warships that have gained monumental status in the exact spots where they sank. It is dedicated to the process of developing conservation proposals through a 3D model of the HMS Majestic—the wreck closest to Seddülbahir—and to the promotion of the Gallipoli Historical Underwater Project, which aims to transform the region into a diving center of international significance.
In the exhibition, it is possible to learn about bathymetric measurements, oceanographic studies, and depth and sonar mapping conducted across 7 sectors within the historical underwater park (currently covering 150 square kilometers). These sectors were designated to ensure systematic progress and to prevent risks during research.
The second room addresses the maritime struggle on the Çanakkale Front and the naval elements involved. A map designed on the floor showing the wreck sites appeals to the perception of visitors, adding visual richness. Information cards prepared for every ship sunk during the Çanakkale Naval Wars, along with artifacts contributed by the Harbiye Military Museum, stand out as applications designed to ensure the lasting impact of the subject.
The third room is dedicated to the information gathered through intensive work on the wreck of the HMS Majestic, considered the starting point of the project. Footage obtained from foreign archives and records of dives from the 1970s are displayed on screens opposite modern research dives, offering a chance for comparison. Artifacts recovered during the 2020 underwater surveys are positioned on a scaled site plan showing the current state of the ship.
The final room features the discovery dives conducted for the project and introduces the research team, alongside samples of underwater fauna and flora identified during the studies. While video recordings of the discovery dives are shared with visitors, the ambient sounds filling the space evoke the feeling of diving as a member of the team. The side-by-side display of a vintage diving suit from the Harbiye Military Museum Command and an infographic of modern diving equipment highlights the periodic developments in the field.
The Gallipoli Historical Underwater Park Exhibition can be visited free of charge.
