Salt Turkish Martyrs' Cemetery

Salt Turkish Martyrs’ Memorial is a monument located in the town of Salt, 30 kilometers from Amman, the capital of Jordan, bearing witness to Ottoman history and heroism. Approximately 300 Ottoman soldiers, belonging to the 48th Division of the 4th Army, who fell in battle defending the Palestine-Jordan pass against British forces during the First World War, are buried here. They were members of the 143rd, 145th and 191st Infantry Regiments.

^{Salt Turkish Martyrs’ Memorial (Source:} Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye⁾

These brave soldiers fought to the end against the British in the region known as Yusha Valley between 24 and 26 March 1918, demonstrating an extraordinary example of sacrifice. The remains of soldiers who gave their lives for their homeland, in an area historically referred to as the “Valley of Corpses,” were discovered in a cave in 1973, decades after their deaths.

^{Salt Turkish Martyrs’ Memorial (Source:} Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye⁾

The town of Salt held a strategic position during the Ottoman period. As a key settlement along the Hajj route and at the intersection of major trade paths, Salt was of great importance and reflects a part of Ottoman cultural heritage. The memorial is situated amid a landscape of Ottoman-era buildings made of yellow stone, including historic mosques and fortresses.

At the Salt Turkish Martyrs’ Memorial, a carved stone inscription, surrounding monuments and a museum section remind visitors of the heroism and historical events of that era. The memorial was officially established as a monument in 1989 and has since been expanded with the addition of a museum and a hall of honor to reach its current form. The museum is enriched with uniforms, equipment and historical photographs used by Ottoman soldiers.

The Salt Turkish Martyrs’ Memorial establishes a historical bond between the Turkish and Jordanian peoples. Annual commemoration ceremonies are held on March 18, Martyrs’ Day, attended by officials from both countries. These ceremonies recall the shared struggle and friendship of the two nations in the past.

The Salt Turkish Martyrs’ Memorial offers an atmosphere steeped in history and heroism. At the entrance, inscriptions in Turkish and Arabic and spiral-shaped monuments keep the memory of the martyrs alive. The cave where the martyrs are buried collectively evokes deep reverence in visitors. Inside the cave, a symbolic tomb marked by the Turkish flag houses the remains of the martyrs.

^{Salt Turkish Martyrs’ Memorial (Source:} Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye⁾