The Refah Martyrs Monument is a monument erected in memory of 168 Turkish soldiers who were martyred in the Refah Ship Disaster on June 23, 1941. It was opened with a big state ceremony in Mersin on June 23, 1972, exactly 31 years after the disaster occurred. Turkish  martyrs are commemorated here every year on the anniversary of the disaster.

Refah Martyrs Monument is the spouse of the Kushimoto Monument, which was erected by Japan in 1937 for our soldiers who were martyred as a result of the sinking of the Ertuğrul Frigate off the coast of Kushimoto, Japan in another naval disaster in 1890. Because of this friendship, one of Mersin's 11 sister cities became Kushimoto. This friendship was reinforced by giving the name Kushimoto to one of the busy and lively streets in Mersin's Pozcu district.

This monument, located at the closest point to the sea in Atatürk Park on Mersin Beach, greets Turkish martyrs. Here, visitors commemorate Turkish martyrs whose names are in the inscription with respect and mercy.

The epitaph of the martyrs of Ertuğrul on one side of the monument, the epitaph of the Martyrs of Refah on the other, and the message of Marshal Fevzi Çakmak, the Chief of General Staff at that time, are on the third side.

Refah Ship Disaster

In the history of the Republic of Turkey, 4 submarines and aircraft fleets, which were ordered from England by paying in cash, were not delivered due to the start of the 2nd World War. However, England, who was afraid of  Turkey’s approchement with Germany in the war, invited us to Egypt to deliver the submarines and train our air personnel, upon the pressure of Turkey. Because of the German and Italian domination in the Mediterranean during the war, it was not possible to go directly to England. First, we will go to Port Said in Egypt and from there we will pass to England via the Gulf of Guinea.

Departing from Mersin Port at 17:30 on 23 June 1941, the ship was damaged by a torpedo shell at 23:01 approximately 5 hours later and sank at 03:50 at night. On the morning of June 25, when the lifeboat with 28 survivors reached Mersin Port, they were informed of the disaster and the rescue teams sent immediately. They were able to save 4 people who were struggling with the sea.

As a result of the Refah Disaster, 168 of Turkey’s most qualified soldiers, trained with great efforts, were martyred, but 28 people were able to escape. Even today, it is not clear which state is responsible for the incident. Based on the memories of a captain from the Italian Navy, who stated that he torpedoed a ship off the coast of Cyprus at the time the Refah Freighter was sunk, it seems most likely that the culprit of the incident was an Italian submarine.

Where is the Refah Martyrs Monument? Directions Information. How to Get to the Monument?

Refah Martyrs Monument is located in Atatürk Park in Mersin, very close to the beach and Cumhuriyet Square. Due to its location, which can be  described as the center of Mersin, it is very easy to reach.

Almost all of the urban public transportation vehicles pass very close to the Monument. If you want to go to the Refah Martyrs monument by public transport from another city, you can reach  here fromthe Mersin Bus Station or the train station by a single vehicle.

The best time to go to the Refah Martyrs Monument is in the afternoon. So the air temperature will be softer and the light more expressive.

Places to be seen around Refah Martyrs Monument

Mersin Atatürk Museum:          850 m 

Latin Italin Catholic Church:      1.8 km

Mersin Archeology Museum      3.2  km

Mersin Naval Museum:             3.4 km

Soli Pompeipolis Ancient City:   13.4 km