İçel - Mersin Atatürk House Museum

The building is situated in the focal point of the city, in one of the most important and busy avenues of Mersin, the “Atatürk Avenue”.This building was built as a residence for German consul Herr Christman for his marriage in 1897 with a lady of the Mavromati family from Mersin. Its architect is not known. The people used to call it the Krizman (Christman) Mansion. Later on it became known as the Mavromati family mansion.

The building, which was built in a 1270 square metres site, was in the possession of the Tahinci family until 1972. The same year it was purchased by Nebil Hayfavi and was used as Toros College (High School) until 1976. After 1976 the building was kept vacant and with a decree taken by the municipality council, it was renamed as the “Atatürk House”.

On 1980 it was decided to nationalize the building and restoration works started. Since 1982 it became in possession of the Ministry of Culture. Approximately US $ 65.000 was spent for the restoration of the building, which was completed in 1992, and it was opened as “Atatürk House and Museum” with an official ceremony on 12 October 1992.

The ground floor of the Mersin Atatürk House and Museum is arranged as the “Atatürk Museum with photographs and documents”. Also, 22 pieces of his personal effects brought in from Anitkabir Museum of Ankara are also in exhibit at this floor.

In the upper floor, where the ethnographical articles are displayed, there are two bedrooms, one study room and four sitting rooms all opening to a large living room.

MERSİN ATATÜRK HOUSE

The founder of the Turkish Republic, the Great Leader Atatürk honoured Mersin, the beautiful Mediterranean city and a commercial centre, by visiting it eight times in various times.

The first visit occurred between 17 - 19 Mart 1923. And the visits made on 20 January - 2 February 1925, 9 - 16 May 1926, 11 - 12 February 1931, 28 January 1933, 20 - 21 February 1935, 19 November 1937 and 20 - 23 May 1938 followed the first one.

During their visit in between 20 January - 2 February 1925, our beloved Atatürk and his wife Latife Hanim were entertained for eleven days with great love and excitement by the people of Mersin, in this building. With the aide of the mansion’s owner Fedon Tahinci, the people of Mersin displayed the most meaningful hospitality by putting up the great leader and his wife in the most splendid building of Mersin. The building they stayed in this visit, now, is utilized as a museum.

Presently the building’s ground floor has a conference room for 50 people, arranged for cultural activities.

The big bedroom situated in the front facade was arranged by the Mersin Maritime Trade Chamber, the living room next to it was arranged by the Chamber of Trade and Industry, and the other rooms were arranged by the Ministry of Culture.

Items with ethnographical values such as carpets, candle holders, clocks, lamps sugar bows, coffee and tea cups, samovar, large brass tray, covers and embroidered napkins and various household goods were obtained from Sivas, Tokat Konya and Ankara Ethnographical Museums. Also, some of the goods are donations of Mehmet and Belkis Akcora family and of Taki Aleksinoglu from Tarsus. The cup that Atatürk had drunk coffee, was donated by Erdal Akalin.

Eskişehir - Atatürk and Culture Museum

Situated in the Arifiye district of the city, the building was built in 1921 and used as the Supreme Court of Appeal. The two-storey building's first floor was built by stone and the second floor by brick masonary.

Atatürk visited Eskisehir sixteen times between the years 1920 and 1938. In order to keep the memories of the Great Leader Atatürk, the first part of the museum, which opened on 1970, was reserved for Atatürk. In here the personal belongings of Atatürk, the gifts presented to him during his visits to Eskisehir and his photographs are exhibited in chronological order.

In the second and the third rooms, the articles with ethnographical values, collected locally and obtained from Topkapi Museum and various photographs taken during Atatürk’s visits to Eskisehir are exhibited.
A collection of meerschaum, which is locally called as “White Gold” showing the stages from the extraction to processing and to its usage are also exhibited in this section.

In the centre room books about Atatürk are exhibited.

Erzurum - Atatürk Museum

The museum is situated on Caykara street, Caykara Avenue. It was built as a mansion by a wealthy man of Erzurum at the end of the XIX. Century. It was used as the German Consulate for 9 months in between 1915 - 1916 and after the liberation of Erzurum it was given to the governor of Erzurum as the residence on 12 March 1918. The governor Mahir Akkaya resided in this building until 3 July 1919 and it was vacated after his departure.

The mansion earned its historical importance when Atatürk, Hüseyin Rauf Bey and his companions settled in on 9 July 1919 and worked on the Erzurum Congress preparations for 52 days, until 29 August 1919. After Atatürk’s departure it continued to be used as the Governor’s residence.

After the declaration of the Republic, when Atatürk arrived in Erzurum again on 13 September 1924, the mayor Nazif Bey, on behalf of the city, had presented him the golden key of the city made by a jeweller and the title of the mansion.

During the years 1930 - 1934 the mansion was assigned as residence to the commanders of the Erzurum Army Corps. After the death of Atatürk the mansion was inherited by his sister Makbule Boysan. According to the title records, after her death, as her wish, the mansion passed to Child Care Foundation on 12 October 1944. The building was used by this Foundation until 1980’s and on 8 May 1984 was transferred to the Ministry of Culture.

The building consisting of a basement, two-storeys and an attic was restored and opened to the visitors as the Atatürk Museum on 3 October 1984.

Ground Floor

After the stone arched entrance, personal belongings, documents and photographs of Kazim Karabekir and Kazim Yurdalan are displayed in the room on the right. From that room you pass to another room where wearing apparel, weapons, photographs and documents of Raif Dinc, the president of the Defence of Rights National Association and the documents of Erzurum Congress are exhibited. In the room situated right across this room you can see the printing machine used for publishing the Turkish newspaper Envari Sarkiye, the unforgettable newspaper of the National Struggle period, Albayrak and the notices of Erzurum Congress.

First Floor

In the first floor at the stair hall you can see the big group photograph of Atatürk and his companions, taken during their second visit to Erzurum and, the armchairs and coffee tables used in those days. From the entry you pass to the hall and to the large room where the photographs of the members of the Erzurum Congress and biographies displayed. From there you can pass to the reception room and to the bedroom.

Erzurum - 23 July Congress Hall

The hall is situated in the Kongre (Congress) Square. It was built in the late XIX. Century.

July 23 Congress Hall building (Atatürk Building Trade High School) now serves as the Fine Arts High School.

The 23 July Erzurum Congress had taken place in the hall of the High School’s first floor. In a fire in 1925 all the timber structure of the building was burned. It was repaired after the fire and opened to service as the Building Trade High School. A hall on the second floor and two rooms opening to that hall have been organized as the Congress Museum. The foundation of the republic was laid down at the Erzurum Congress with Atatürk as the congress president, and the path going to the Turkish Grand National Assembly was opened again in this congress. Therefore this building has a very important place in our Republic’s history.

Having a special museum status within the Ministry of Education, this hall exhibits the photographs of the congress members, biographies, furniture from those days and congress documents.

The building, having a U shape plan, consists of a basement and two floors. The main entrance as the axis the building has a perfectly symmetrical plan. There are two more entrances beside the main entrance. When you go up to the first floor through the stairs you will see the congress hall in front of you. Right across, when you enter the hall, there is the statue of Atatürk, four rows of desks and a map showing from which provinces the delegates arrived are hanged on the walls. The small rooms at the sides of the hall still display the furniture of those days.

Diyarbakır - Atatürk Lodge

The Diyarbakir Atatürk Lodge is 2.5 Km south of the Diyarbakir city walls. Atatürk, after the Gallipoli Wars, by the end of February 1916 was assigned as the commander of the 16 Army Corps at the Eastern Front. On 14 March 1916, he arrived at the Army Corps headquarters in Diyarbakir. The Semanoglu lodge outside the city walls had been allotted to Atatürk's use. Atatürk stayed in this lodge until 27 March 1917. After his assignment as the Commander of the 2 Army, Atatürk arrived again in Diyarbakir and this time stayed in the Pamuk Lodge right outside the Mardin Gate of the walls.

The Diyarbakir Municipality, with a decree taken on 5 April 1926, had given Atatürk the honorary citizenship of Diyarbakir and presented him the Semanoglu Lodge that he stayed during his first appointment. From then on the lodge has been known as the Atatürk Lodge.

The Diyarbakir Atatürk Lodge is a fine example of a typical Diyarbakir house, constructed with black and white hewn stones with a large portico in the front. Water pouring down to a pond from the marble fountain built in to the wall of the portico cools the lodge. The small door on the right hand side of the entrance opens to the kitchen, and the one on the left to the tea room. The study room and the bedrooms are in the upper floor.

After the death of Atatürk, the Atatürk Lodge was restored and opened to the public under the protection of Diyarbakir Municipality.

Denizli - Atatürk and Ethnographical Museum

There is no document relating to the construction date of this building situated in the Ucancibasi district of the city, it is now used as a museum. But, according to the people, it is presumed to have been constructed at the end of the 19th Century by a Greek origin person Kimon Vandazoflus who became a Turkish citizen later on. The two-storey building consists of rooms opening to a hall on each floor. The hall at the top floor which stretches along the width of the building opens to a cantilevered balcony at the front. The rear side opens to a section that was constructed and added to the building later on.

The main walls are of brick masonry and the dividing walls are timber frames. The entrance to the building is through the double timber doors, at the front and the rear. The rectangle windows have low arches. Sash windows are protected by outside shutters opening to both sides. The pitched roof is covered with the Marseille type tiles. There are no other decorations than the plaster mouldings at the tops of the walls in ground floor and decorative pattern on the timber posts carrying the first floor slab. The cultural riches with ethnographical characteristics are displayed in the first floor.

The house, Atatürk stayed during his visit to Denizli was transformed into a museum as well. The wardrobe, the brass bedstead, the divan and a baroque style desk are in exhibit in this museum. One of the rooms was furnished according to the tradition of Denizli region.

Çanakkale - Eceabat Çamyayla Atatürk Headquarters

Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk) who was the military Attache in Sofia had seen that The Ottoman Government inevitably was going to enter the World War One, had asked insistently from the Commander-in-Chief’s office to be appointed to an active duty. In return for his insistence, on 20 January 1915, he was appointed as the Commanding Officer to the 19 Division which was being established in the Tekirdag region. In a very short time Atatürk had finalized the establishment of this division and moved it to Eceabat on 25 February 1915 in order to be ready for a likely defence of the Gallipoli peninsula. After supplying the division here, on 18 April 1915 arrived at Çamyayla (the old name is Bigali) village and established his headquarters in a village house, a week before the war started. Atatürk, after his defensive and offensive battles against the superior enemy forces at Conkbayiri and Ariburnu, attracted attention of the whole world with his heroism, courage and the victories won and promoted to full Colonel on 1 June 1915. During those days Atatürk was preparing his offensive plans and directing the battle in his Çamyayla headquarters in a village house. After the Gallipoli victory, on 10 December 1915 Atatürk returned to Istanbul as a Hero.

This headquarters of Atatürk in Çamyayla, had been used as a house by its owners for many years after the Gallipoli wars. Everybody knew that Atatürk had spent his longest nights in this house, the kerosene lamps had been glowing until every dawn during the war. There is only one table remaining from the original furniture. Who knows how many days and nights Atatürk had used this table, marking the maps, drawing his war strategies. Finally, a “Çamyayla Atatürk Museum Founding Committee” was formed. First thing this committee had done was placing a signboard on the front door of the house with inscriptions reading: “The 19 Division headquarters of Atatürk in 1915”. The committee wanted to purchase the house from its owners to make it a museum. Finally they succeeded in this matter as well.

Later on, the Çamyayla Headquarters of Atatürk was turned over to the Ministry of Culture. After restoring the house, the Ministry opened it to public in 1973. The Atatürk Çamyayla Headquarters was constructed as a two-storey lathwork building. You enter to a small courtyard from its main door. In the ground floor there are one large and two small rooms. Through wooden stairs you can reach the large living room on the first floor. There are three rooms opening to the living room. The room in the middle is the largest and was the study room of Atatürk. The one on the right was his bedroom. The other room was used by his aide. The rooms had timber ceilings and floorings. Atatürk’s table is in the study room.

The Headquarters Museum had opened to exhibition after furnishing with articles and pictures of Atatürk collected later.

Bursa - Atatürk Museum

The building, which is situated on Cekirge Avenue, is believed to be constructed at the end of the 19th Century. The lodge has two floors and a basement. During his second visit to Bursa in between 20-24 January 1923, Bursa Municipality had purchased this building from Colonel Mehmet Bey and presented it to Atatürk as a gift. After that, Atatürk stayed in this lodge on his visits to Bursa. On 1938, the building was sold to the Turkish Republic Retirements Foundation by Bursa Municipality, and on 6 February 1968, the Foundation turned over the building to the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums. On the fiftieth anniversary of the Republic, the building after being converted to a museum, opened to the public on 29 October 1973.

First Floor: There is a reception room on the right-hand side of the entrance and a dining room and a rest room on the left hand side.

Second Floor: The bedroom is on the right and the study room is on the left. Passing through the right hand side of the study room you will reach the greenhouse. The basement is used as the kitchen and the maintenance. Most of the furniture and articles in display are the originals used by Atatürk.

Balıkesir - Kuva-i Milliye (National Forces) Museum

History
The building, which was used as the Municipality Building until it became the Kuva-yi Milliye (National Forces) Museum, was built in 1840, for the Treasury Officer of the province subdivision of Karesi, Mehmet Pasha as a lodge. Later on, in late 1800’s vanished in a fire. The grandchild Halit Pasha built a new mansion in its place and during the Independence War it was utilized for important services.

After the occupation of Izmir On 15 May 1919, the people from Balikesir gathered on 16 May 1919, armed struggle decree taken and the flame of National Forces had risen in this building. It served to 2 Army Corps Command and to Ali Hikmet Pasha as Headquarters for many years. It became the work centre for the Izmir Northern Fronts Committee. On 6 February 1923, Atatürk, on his first visit to Balikesir, had stayed in a building within the same compound, which was opened as the “Literacy Home” in 1933 and, on 18 May 1998 was again opened to public service as “The Library of the History of National Struggle”.

Kuva-yi Milliye Museum

The municipality, taking action in the years 1985 and 1986, issued to board decrees, to open the building as a museum. The building had been used as headquarters during the National Struggle. Later on the use of this building was permanently given to the Directorate of the Ancient Remains and Monuments of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A protocol was signed between the Balikesir Governors office and the Municipality on this issue.
Later on, after the establishment of the Directorate of the Museum, the restoration works were speeded up and the museum opened to public on 6 September 1996.

The Kuva-yi Milliye Museum, consist of two sections; in the ground floor that has an area of 120 square metres, the decisions in writing taken by 41 people who were the initiator of the establishment of Kuva-yi Milliye in Balikesir, the congress issues, the personal effects of these heroic people and their photographs, and Atatürk’s photographs taken during his visit to Balikesir are displayed. On the first floor which has the same area, the archeological and ethnographical works of the region are being exhibited.

Address: Anafartalar Avenue, Balikesir

Telephone: +90 (266) 243 31 81

Antalya - Atatürk Museum

At the beginning of March 1930 Atatürk was in Izmir. The weather was going very cold. Atatürk thought of taking a rest for a week in Antalya’s warm weather. On 5 March 1930 he departed from Izmir to Antalya. Passing through Isparta and Burdur, arrived in Antalya in the afternoon on 6 March 1930. From the village of Kepez to the city, the people had filled out both sides of the road to see and cheer for the great leader. At 16:00 hours, Atatürk arrived at Tophane square. The villa where he was going to stay presented to him as a gift by the people of Antalya. The ground in front of the villa was crowded with people. After resting for a short time in the villa, Atatürk came out to the balcony, made a short speech and thanked to the people of Antalya. The same night he went to the Turkish Nationalist Club and discussed with the youth on the country’s problems. Towards midnight he went back to the villa for rest.

Atatürk had stayed a whole week in Antalya until 12 March 1930 morning. During this time he went about to various places. He visited museums, historical ruins, citrus gardens and talked with producers. After a week's rest, on 12 March at 10:00 hours in the morning returned to Ankara with his accompaniments.

The next year Atatürk again arrived in Antalya on 10 February 1931 at noon time with the Ege steamboat while passing through the shores of Aegean and Mediterranean seas, and went to Silifke without staying there. The third and the last time of Atatürk’s arrival in Antalya occurred in February 1935. Atatürk had departed from Izmir on 16 February 1935 with Ege steamboat and arrived at Antalya pier on Monday at 13:30 hours, 18 February 1935. His sister Makbule Atadan, Ms. Nebile, Professor Afet Inan, Fahrettin Altay, Nuri Conker, Cevat Abbas Gürer, his aides and others were accompanying him. Arriving at his villa directly from pier with barouche rested until the evening. After spending the night in the villa, the next evening at 22:30 hours he departed for Tasucu town with the Ege steamboat.

The Atatürk villa that the people of Antalya had presented to him, is a two-storey stone building with clay tile roof. There is a long hall at the entrance. At the right side of the hall there is a living room, a room, a bathroom and a kitchen situated. At the left side there are two rooms and the stairs going up to the first floor. On the first floor, apart from the hall, there are seven rooms one of them with a balcony. Atatürk had slept in the room across the stairs.
After the death of Atatürk, the Antalya Atatürk Villa was transferred to the Private Administration and used as Night School of Crafts for Girls and The Institute for Girls in 1939. In 1952 the villa was handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture and used as the office of the Directorate of Technical Agriculture until 1980. After 1980 it was transferred to the Ministry of Culture, restored and opened to the public as the Atatürk Museum.

Antalya - Alanya Atatürk House Museum

On 18 February 1935 the founder of the Turkish Republic, the great leader Atatürk visited Alanya. The house that he stayed and rested for a while was donated to the Ministry of Culture by the owner Mr. Tevfik Azakoglu. The house was restored, furnished and opened to the visitors as “Atatürk House and Museum” in 1987. The personal effects of Atatürk, photographs, a telegraph written by Atatürk and sent to the people of Alanya and other historical documents are exhibited in the first floor rooms of the museum. In the second floor rooms, typical Alanya house with all its features is conserved and samples of ethnographical items peculiar to the region are being exhibited.

Ankara - Atatürk House

As it is known, due to the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire after the World War I, the house that Atatürk was born and spent his childhood years in, had remained outside of the country land. During the Lausanne discussions Atatürk’s wish to include Salonika within the borders of the country had not been realized and he had felt great sorrow from this.

The Executive Committee of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce gathered on 6 November 1980 for the whole country wide celebrations of the centennial birthday of the founder of our nation, the great leader Atatürk. In this gathering, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of its time, Mr. O. Galip Gencoglu, put forward a proposal for constructing in Ankara, the exact replica of the house in Salonika where Atatürk was born and spent his childhood and part of his youth with his friends, planning and deciding for an independent country with a free governing regime. This proposal was welcomed with a great emotion and excitement by the representatives of the Premier, Cemal Sümer and Polat Ögün, members of the Executive Committee Muin Eksi, Irfan Bozer, Sabahattin Parla, Ekrem Ekinci, Yasar Eraydin, Turhan Yalcin, Yakup Köseoglu, Halil Yilancioglu and the Secretary-General Mehmet Aydin. After the approval of the proposal of the Executive Committee with same emotion and excitement by the Chamber Board, the matter was presented to the chairmanship of the Centennial Celebrations Coordination Committee and necessary permission and approval was received. After that all the formalities were finalized and immediately went into action.

After the change of the Executive Committee headed by Galip Gencoglu, the new Committee under the chairmanship of Necdet Esen, the deputies Süleyman Akyol, Ahmet Cavusoglu and the members Sabahattin Parla, Abdurrahim Gümüs,Turan Kurdoglu, Ali Bitirim, Teoman Keskin, Erol Onar, Turgut Ergün and Ilhami Tuncay had continued under the same eagerness and sensitiveness. On 19 May 1981 at 17:00 hours the foundation of the house was laid by the Prime Minister Bülend Ulusu on a land allotted at the Atatürk Forest Farm that was established and very much loved by our Ata (Atatürk).
With the undertaking and leadership of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce and constructed by Nurol Construction Collective Company, this valuable work was opened by the State President General Kenan Evren.

Atatürk Room

The floor of the room was covered with a Berkofca Kilim in 3.86 x 2.82 metres dimensions. Kilim have white, green and black flower pattern on vermilion ground. On the right hand side, next to the entrance, a 4.40 by 2.15 metres of wooden panel covers the whole wall with a 0.90 metres bronze bust of Atatürk.

On the left-hand side of the bust there is a small desk covered with blue broadcloth. There is a memorial book on the desk for visitors to write their impressions.

A Salonika brazier placed in the middle of the room, and old style chairs were arranged in row across the other two walls. There is a pair of curtains on the windows; one of the pairs are of calico with lacework at the ends. The second of the pair is of red satin material with beige colour flowers and vase pattern on them. The cushions and the divan cover is of the same colour with lacework on their edges.

A brass kerosene lamp with white shade hanged to a hook on the ceiling finishes up the interior decoration of the room.

Museum Room

The appearance of the room which its door opens to the hall, comprises of Atatürk’s personal photographs and documents is like this:

In order to attract the attention of the visitors the floor of the room was not paved and windows held only plain calico curtains.

In the room there are only cabinets, a bookshelf and some photographs. The following articles are in display in the cabinets:

First Cabinet: A grey coloured suit, a cap and a casual shirt.

Second Cabinet: A swallow tailed suit, a black and white waistcoat, gloves and a top hat.

Third Cabinet: A black overcoat, a dressing gown and a pair of shoes.

Fourth Cabinet: Field Marshal’s hat, a scarf, a necktie, a calling card case, a cigarette case, a pair of prayer beads, a table bell, a coffe cup, a cane and a horse whip.

The other parts of the Atatürk House

Sections of the House

First Floor: (Stone entrance hall, pantry and the servants room)

From the main door entry is made to the entrance hall. The entrance hall is paved with Malta stones. A kerosene lamp was placed on the wall next to the door opening to the garden. On the same wall there is also a washbasin, and at the side of it, a pitcher and pan was placed. Two signboards, one in Turkish and one in Greek, on the wall saying not to be touched to the articles and furniture, and not to be smoking.

Pantry: Along the wall right-hand side of the door a wooden grain box, a meshed sieve, earthenware pots, chopping block, a hatchet, an ax and a large earthenware jar were placed. And along the wall across the door a dough trough, a bread pan, a tray, a large copper tray and a frying pan were placed. And on the wall where the door is a cauldron, copper food buckets and some other kitchen articles were placed.

Servants Room: A wicker mat was laid down on the floor of the room. A large grass cushion placed along the whole wall across the door under the window and it is covered with a yellow coloured sheepskin. Along the wall on the left-hand side of the door a 2.30 by 0.80 metres divan was placed. Divan and the cushion covers were made of a dark coloured fabric with flower pattern. And, along the wall on the right-hand side of the door, a pair of trunks of 0.98 by 0.50 metres were placed, with a mattress, a quilt and a blanket on top of them, all folded nicely. On one of the window casing there is an earthenware jug and a metal water cup; on the other one you can see a coloured kerosene lamp.

Second Floor: (Hall, Kitchen, Living Room and the Guest Room)

The Hall: The floor is laid down with a Sarköy kilim of 4.35 by 3.90 metres. The kilim is knitted with black, white, beige, brown, green, red and grey coloured materials and the centre is serrated, embroidered like a saw teeth. The other parts have stylised shapes. At the windows of the hall looking towards the street and the garden, first the calico sun curtains, and than silk fabric curtains with yellow leafed blue flowers on vermillion ground are hanged. The top and side edges of the curtains are bordered by velvet furbelow. The divan and the cushions are covered with the same colour of the curtains. The cushions and the divan are also covered with laced calico cloth coverings. In the centre of the hall an old style medium sized dark coloured round mahogany table can be seen. A Rumelia style embroidered tablecloth with flower pattern covers the table. A wardrobe will come into view when the stairs are climbed. The wardrobe with openwork has two yellow coloured doors and mirror, and three drawers. It is the same colour with the hall's ceiling, floor and the doors.

Bamboo chairs are lined up along the wall. An old style kerosene lamp with white lampshade is hanged to a hook in the centre of the ceiling.

Kitchen: You can see tinned copper pots and pans placed in the shelves among the other kitchen utensils.

Living room and bedroom: Opening to the hall and next to the kitchen, Atatürk’s mother’s living room and bedroom is furnished very plainly. A kilim, 3.30 by 3.35 metres and in similar colour and pattern to the one in the hall, is spread out to the floor. When you enter from the door, at right, in front of the three windows facing the street you can see a Rumelian style divan; and along in the left-hand side wall, an old style brass double bed with a red colour bedspread. On the head of the bed, a bag to hold Koran and a framed religious inscription are hanged to the wall. Two floor cushions and in front of them a Salonika brazier are placed between the bed and the divan. There is also a trunk covered with flowers embroidered blue colour cloth can be seen at the foot of the bed. Along the windows, above the calico sun curtains, green and beige coloured curtains with green branch pattern are hanged.

Divan and cushion covers are made of the same material. The calico sun curtains, cushion covers and the divan covers laces have clock pattern. An oval picture of Atatürk with moustache and a framed religious inscription are hanged on the wall right-hand side of the door.

Guest Room: The floor of the guest room, which opens to the hall, is covered with 3 by 2.50 metres Sarköy kilim. The kilim has green, black and white pattern on red ground. There is a big brass brazier placed on a base in the middle of the room. Along the right wall of the room a console, in the same colour of the ceiling, doors and the floor, with five drawers can be seen. An old style large mirror with gilding frame is hanged above the console.
A pair of lamp with blue spherical glass lampshades is placed on the console in front of the mirror. There is a coloured plate with a coloured glass jar and a glass placed in between those lamps.

A fabric covered couch with purple patterns is placed along the wall right across the door. A pair of old style end tables was placed in both sides of the couch. At the right side of the couch there is a small shelf fastened to the wall. There are three vases on this shelf.
Rumelian work embroideries with flowered edges were placed on the tables, end tables and the shelfs. A kerosene lamp fixed to a hook on the ceiling completes the furnishing of the room.

Third Floor: (Hall, Atatürk Room, Museum Room)

Hall: The floor of the hall is covered with a Sarköy Kilim. There is an oval table placed in the middle of the hall with a Rumelian work large napkin and a flowerpot.

A small wall console with a marble top, gilding sides and legs is placed along the wall right across the stairs. This console also has a Rumelian work large napkin on it. A mirror with gilding frame is placed on the console. A brass kerosene lamp with white lamp shape is set in front of the mirror.
There is a pitcher and a pan placed in front of the toilet door of the hall, and also a chest is in front of the wall facing the garden. Bamboo chairs are also placed along the wall.
You can see a Rumelian type of divan placed in front of the wall windows facing the street. The windows of the hall are covered with calico sun curtains, and wine colour fabric curtains with flower pattern. Furbelows and fringes in the same colour of the curtain cover the edges of the curtains.
Divan and cushion covers are in the same colour of the curtains. Lacework are placed on the cushions and the divan.

Address: Atatürk Orman Ciftligi (Atatürk Forest Farm), Gazi - Ankara

Telephone: +90 (312) 211 01 70 Ext. 222

Ankara - Anıtkabir (Atatürk's Mausoleum)

I. ANITKABIR IDEA

The great leader of Turkish Independence War and Turkish Revolution and the founder of Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s life, with full of struggles for Turkish land's freedom and endeavours to raise the Turkish Nation to the level of contemporary civilization, lasted 57 years. It ended on 10 November 1938 and the great leader passed to eternity.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is a great leader, achieving to make Turkey a member of contemporary civilization with all its institutions, has a special place in the history of humanities. The idea to build a mausoleum to reflect his greatness in every respect and to present his thoughts on principles, his reforms and modernization, was the common desire of the Turkish Nation in deepest grief of losing Atatürk.

II. RASATTEPE (ANITTEPE)

Before building of Anitkabir, Anittepe’s (Monument Hill ) name was Rasattepe (Observation Hill) because there was an observatory on this hill.

There were also tumuluses (graves) belonging to Phrygian civilization of 3rd Century BC on this hill. Archeological excavations took place to remove these tombs after the decision was given to build Anitkabir on Rasattepe. Remains found on these excavations are on display in the museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

III. CONSTRUCTION OF ANITKABIR

The first stage to start the construction was the expropriation of the land after deciding on the Anitkabir project. Actual construction of Anitkabir commenced on 9 October 1944 with a splendid ceremony by laying the first stone of the foundation. Construction of Anitkabir took nine years in four stages.

First stage of the Construction: 1944 - 1945
First stage construction, comprising the excavation and the construction of the retaining wall of Lions Road, started 9 October 1944 and completed in 1945.

Second Stage of the Construction: 1945 - 1950 Second stage construction, comprising the mausoleum and the auxiliary buildings surrounding the ceremonial ground, started on 29 September 1945 and completed on 8 August 1950. At this stage, due to the problems related to the mausoleum’s masonry and concrete structure foundations, some revisions had to be made. At the end of 1947 the excavation and insulation of the mausoleum foundation was completed and the steel reinforcements for the new 11 m. high concrete foundation, capable of resisting any kind of settlement of the ground, had come to near completion.

Entrance towers, most part of the road network, orchard installations, plantation works and main part of the irrigation systems were also completed at this stage.

Third Stage of the Construction: 1950

The third stage was comprising the construction of the roads leading to the mausoleum, Lions’ alley, ceremonial ground, the mausoleum’s upper-level stone pavement, grand stairs, putting the big tomb stone in its place and installation of electricity, plumbing and heating systems.

Fourth Stage of the Construction: 1950 - 1953

The fourth stage comprised the construction of the Hall of Honours pavement, vaults under side linings, and the Hall of Honour’s perimeter stone profiles and fringe decorations. The fourth stage had started on 20 November 1950 and completed on 1 September 1953.

The Anitkabir project originally had a vaulted ceiling above the mausoleum carried by the perimeter columns. On 4 December 1951 the Government inquired the architects of the possibility of shortening the time of construction by lowering the 28 m. high ceiling of the Hall of Honours.

After studying the subject, architects concluded that it was possible to cover the ceiling with a reinforced concrete slab instead of a stone vault. This change had reduced the weight of the ceiling and, therefore, certain risks were eliminated further.

Easy to process porous travertine with various colours was used on external cladding of the concrete surfaces and marble was used for the inside surfaces of the mausoleum.

White travertine that was used for sculpture groups, for lions figures and the mausoleum colons, is brought in from Pinarbasi town of Kayseri and white travertine used inside the towers is brought in from Polatli and Malikoy. Red and black travertine used for paving the ceremonial ground and floors of towers were brought in from Kayseri, Bogazköprü region and yellow travertine brought in from Cankiri, Eskipazar was used for building the Victory relief, Hall of Honours external walls and perimeter colons of the ceremonial ground.

Red, black and cream colour marbles used on the floor of the Hall of Honours were brought from Hatay, Adana and Canakkale, and for the internal walls, tiger-hide patterned marble from Afyon and green marble brought from Bilecik. Monolithic tomb stone weighing 40 tons was brought from Osmaniye, Adana and the white marble covering sides of the sarcophagus were from Afyon.

IV. ANITKABIR'S ARCHITECTURAL PROPERTIES

The period of the Turkish architecture, in between 1940 and 1950, is known as “The Era of Second National Architecture”. During this period mostly monumental, symmetry oriented, cut stone clad buildings had been built. Anitkabir carries the same characteristics of this era.

Besides those characteristics, Anitkabir also has Seljuk and Ottoman architectural characteristics and ornamentation features.

As in the example of external walls and eaves all around the towers are the Seljuk style borders, known as “saw teeth” in Seljuk cut stone art. Cut stone ornamentation, namely passion flower and ‘rosette’ used in some other parts of Anitkabir (Mehmetcik Tower, Museum Administration) can be found in Seljuk and Ottoman architecture as well. With all its qualities, Anitkabir is one of the finest examples of its era, covering approximately 750.000 square metres; it is divided into two parts as “Peace Park” and “Monument Block”

A- PEACE PARK

Inspired by Atatürk's famous phrase “Peace at home, peace in World”, Anitkabir rises above in ‘Peace Park’ formed with plants received from all over the world and the country.

Many plants and trees are brought in from Afghanistan, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, USA, United Kingdom and Yugoslavia. Today, in ‘Peace Park,’ there are 48.500 trees and ornamental plants of 104 different species and origins.

B- MONUMENT BLOCK

Anitkabir monument Block has three sections.

1- Lions Alley

2- Ceremonial Ground

3- Mausoleum

When entered from Tandogan Gate and by the road through the Peace Park you can reach at the 26 steps high ground stairs at the head of the Lions Alley. Independence and Freedom Towers are situated at both sides of this stair facing each other.

Within the Anitkabir site there are ten towers situated in a symmetrical arrangement. They are named to symbolize the great ideals that influenced the creation of our nation and the state. The towers are similar in terms of planning and structure. The towers are rectangular, close to a square, with 12x14x7.20 m. dimensions and have pyramidal roofs. Bronze arrow heads are placed at the top of the roofs as in the old Turkish traditional tent. Geometric ornamentations, inspired by the old Turkish kilim patterns, are superimposed in fresco technique.

Also inside walls of the towers contains a composition relevant to the name of the tower and inscription of Atatürk’s word.

1. INDEPENDENCE TOWER

The relief on the internal walls of the Independence Tower, situated at the right side of the Lions Alley, shows a young man standing and holding a sword with both hands and an eagle perched on a rock beside him. Eagle in mythology and in Seljuk art, is the symbol of Power and Independence. The youth holding a sword, represents the Turkish nation defending its independence. This relief is a work of Zühtü Müridoglu.

Also inscribed on the walls of the tower are Atatürk’s words about independence:

“When our nation seemed to cease to exist in a most horrible way, our ancestors’ voice, calling their children to fight against surrender, rose in our hearts and invoked the last Independence War.” (1921)

“Life means fight and struggle. Success in life is only possible with success in fight.” (1927)

“We are a nation asking for life and independence, and sacrifice our lives only and solely for this.” (1921)

“There is no principal of asking for justice and mercy. Turkish Nation and Turkey’s children of the future should never forget that for a moment.” (1927)

“This nation has not, cannot and will not live without independence. Either Independence or death.” (1919)

A model of Anitkabir and illuminated information panels about Anitkabir are in the tower.

2. FREEDOM TOWER

Inside the Freedom Tower, on the left side of the Lions Alley, a relief shows a figure of an angel holding a sheet of paper and a rearing horse next to it. An angel figure symbolizes the holiness of freedom and the sheet of paper symbolizes the “Declaration of Freedom”. The horse figure is the symbol of both freedom and independence. This relief is a work of Zühtü Müridoglu.

Inscribed on the tower walls are Atatürk’s words about freedom:

“Principle is, for Turkish Nation to live a respected and proud life. This principle can only be achieved by acquiring a complete Independence. No matter how wealthy or prosperous a nation is, without the independence, it is considered nothing more than a slave in civilized humanity.” (1927)

“To me, to have and to keep its honour, dignity and ethics continuously, a nation must always have its independence and freedom.”

“Freedom, equality, justice; all are based on national sovereignty.”

“In all our history, we are a symbol nation of freedom and independence.”

In the tower, there is a photograph exhibition about Anitkabir construction and a collection of stone samples used in the construction.

3. WOMEN STATUES GROUP

There is a group of three women’s statues with national dresses in front of the Independence Tower. Two women at the sides are holding a large wreath reaching to the ground. This wreath made up of grain sheaf represents our abundant country. The woman on the left with a cup in her stretched hand is asking God’s compassion for Atatürk, and the woman in the middle, covering her face with her hand, is crying.

This group represents the Turkish women’s pride, solemnity and determination, even in the deepest grief of losing Atatürk. This group of statues is a work of Hüseyin Ozkan.

4. MEN STATUES GROUP

This group of statues made up of three men, is situated in front of the Freedom Tower. The man at the right with helmet and greatcoat represents the Turkish soldier, next to it with a book in his hand, Turkish youth and intellectuals and just behind it, with local dress, Turkish peasants are represented. By the grievous expressions in the faces of all three statues, solemnity and power of will proper to Turkish Nation are expressed. This group of statues is a work of Hüseyin Ozkan.

5. LIONS ALLEY

This pedestrian alley designed to brace visitors for the Atatürk's great presence. It is 262 m. Long and have 24 lion statues in seating position at both sides. Those lion statues, made in old Anatolian civilization Hittite art style, for Atatürk gave great importance to Turkish and Anatolian history, are symbolizing the power and peace. Statues are made by Hüseyin Ozkan.

6. CEREMONIAL GROUND

At the end of the Lions Alley is the 129 m. long and 84.25 m. wide Ceremonial Ground. The capacity of this ground is for 15.000 people and its floor is decorated with 373 rugs and kilims patterns made of black, red, yellow and white travertine.

7. MEHMETCIK (Turkish Soldier) TOWER

Mehmetcik tower is situated on the right-hand side of the end of the Lions Alley. The relief on the exterior facade depicts Mehmetcik leaving home for the front. In this composition, a sad but proud mother holding her hand on the shoulder of her son and sending him to the war for country, is described. This relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoglu.

Inscribed on the walls are the aphorisms of Atatürk about Mehmetcik and Turkish women:

“Heroic Turkish Soldier, understanding the meaning of Anatolian wars fought for a new country.” (1921)

“Nowhere in this world, not in any nation, it is possible to mention women's struggle above Turkish Anatolian peasant women's struggle.”(1923)

“There is no appraisal for the sacrifices and heroism of this nation's children.” There is a book and gift shop in the tower selling books and gift articles to visitors about Anitkabir and Atatürk.

8. ATATURK AND TURKISH REVOLUTION LIBRARY

“Atatürk and Turkish Revolution Library” is located inside the same building where the Directorate of Museum, Library and Cultural Activities is. It is between the Mehmetcik and Victory towers. This library, specialized on the issues about Atatürk, National Struggle and Reforms, in Turkish and foreign languages, serves every scholar and reader on week days between 09:00-12:30/13:30-17:00 hours.

9. VICTORY TOWER

The dates of Atatürk’s most important three victories and his words about victories are inscribed on the walls of this tower. Inside the tower, the gun carriage, which carried Atatürk’s coffin from Dolmabahce Palace to Sarayburnu and handed over to the navy on 19 November 1938, is on display.

10. ISMET INONU’S SARCOPHAGUS

The symbolic sarcophagus of Ismet Inönü, Atatürk’s closest friend of arms, the Western Front commander of the Turkish National Struggle and the second President of Republic, is located in the colonnaded gallery between Peace and Victory towers. Grave room of Ismet Inönü who passed away on 25 December 1973 is on the lower floor. Ismet Inönü was buried in Anitkabir on 28 December 1973 by the decree of the Cabinet.

11. PEACE TOWER

A relief composition expressing Atatürk’s principal of “Peace at home, peace in the world” is inside the tower walls. In this relief, farming peasants and beside them, a soldier figure protecting them by holding out his sword, are depicted. This soldier symbolizes the Turkish Army, the strong and genuine keeper of the peace. Thus, people live their daily lives in peace, secured by the Turkish Army. The relief is a work of Nusret Suman.

Atatürk’s following words about peace are inscribed on the walls of the tower:

“World citizens must be educated to refrain themselves from jealousy, greed and hatred.”(1935)

“Peace at Home, Peace in the World”

“Unless the nation's life is in direct danger, war is a murderous crime.” (1923)

Inside the tower, Atatürk’s official and ceremonial Lincoln cars, used in between 1935-1938, are on display.

12. 23 APRIL TOWER

On the inside walls of the tower, is a relief depicting the opening of the Turkish Ground National Assembly on 23 April 1920. The woman standing in this relief is holding a paper in her hand with an inscription of the date 23 April 1920. The key in her other hand is symbolizing the opening of our National Assembly. The relief is the work of Hakki Atamulu.

Atatürk’s aphorisms about the opening of the assembly are on the walls of the tower.

“There was only one decision: It was to establish a new and unconditionally independent Turkish State based on national sovereignty.” (1919)

“The Turkish Grand National Assembly is the one and the only representative of the Turkish State.”

“Our opinion is that power, sovereignty and government must be directly given to the people and should be in the hands of the people.”

Atatürk’s Cadillac type private car used in between 1936 and 1938 is on display on this tower.

13. FLAG POST

In Anitkabir, the Turkish flag rises on this one-piece high post, situated in the middle of the 28 steps grand stair leading to the ceremonial ground at the direction of Cankaya District. Specially manufactured in the USA, this 33,53 m. high post is the highest single piece steel flag post in Europe. 4 m. section of the post is buried in its base. A US citizen with Turkish origin, living in the USA, Nazmi Cemal manufactured this post in his own flag post factory and presented to Anitkabir in 1946. In the relief at the base of the flag post, the torch symbolizes the Turkish civilization, the sword is the offensive power, helmet is defence power, the oak branch is the victory and the olive branch is the symbol of peace.

Turkish flag rises on the values of our nation like defence of the country, earning victories, keeping peace and founding civilizations. This relief is the work of Kenan Yontuc.

14. MISAK-I MILLI (The National Pact) TOWER

The tower is at the entry to the museum and the relief inside this tower symbolizes the binding in unity. The relief shows four hands joining on a sword hilt. This composition symbolizes the nation's oath to save the Turkish Country. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman

Atatürk’s following words about Misak-i Milli are inscribed on the walls:

“It is the nation's iron fist that writes nations’ oath which is the main principle of our independence to the annals of history.”(1923)

“We want free and independent life within our borders.” (1921)

“The nations without a national pride are prey of the other nations.” (1923)

There is a dais in the middle of the tower, for the delegations, participated in the ceremonies in Anitkabir, to sign the official memorial book. In this tower, which is also the entry to the museum, there are news panels containing the photographs of the important ceremonies taken place in Anitkabir.

15. ANITKABIR ATATURK MUSEUM

In accordance with the conditions of the Anitkabir project competition, the section between the Misak-i Milli and the Reforms towers is alloted for the museum. For this purpose, Anitkabir Atatürk Museum opened on 21 June 1960. Atatürk’s personal items, his wearing apparel and some of the gifts presented to him are on display in this museum.

Atatürk’s medals and decorations and some personal items donated to the museum by his adopted children A. Afet Inan, Rukiye Ergin and Sabiha Gökcen are also exhibited in the museum.

16. REFORMS TOWER

This tower is the extension of the museum and Atatürk’s garments are exhibited here. The relief inside the tower wall shows a weak hand holding the torch about to extinguish, symbolizing the Ottoman Empires down fall. Another but a strong hand raising a radiating torch to the skies, symbolizes the reforms with which the new Turkish Republic and Atatürk raised the Turkish Nation to the level of contemporary civilization. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman.

Atatürk’s words about reforms are inscribed in the walls of this tower:

“If a society does not walk on the same path for the common purpose together with its men and women technically and scientifically, it is not possible to go forward and become civilized.”

“Our inspirations are not from skies and unknown worlds but straight from the true life.”

Atatürk’s the life size wax statue, made by the ex-president of the Anadolu University Prof. Dr. Yilmaz Büyükersen is display in this tower which is also the garment section of the museum.

17. TOWER OF THE REPUBLIC

This tower is the entry to the art gallery and on its wall these aphorisms of Atatürk about the republic are written:

“The fact is, we gained our national sovereignty through action and handed it over to the people and undoubtedly proved that we can keep it in their hands, are our biggest strength and most trusted foundation.”

In the tower, the models of Monastir Military Senior High School building, where Atatürk graduated from, Sivas and Erzurum congress buildings and I. Turkish Grand National Assembly building and some photographs of that period are exhibited.

18. ART GALLERY

Atatürk’s private library is exhibited in this section situated between Republic and Defence of Rights Towers.

Oil paintings of Atatürk and visiting foreign statesmen, painted by the artist Rahmi Pehlivanli are on the walls.

There is also a cinema section in the gallery where documentary films are shown about Atatürk, National Struggle and Anitkabir.

19. DEFENCE OF RIGHTS TOWER

The principle of Defence of Rights (Mudafaa-I Hukuk), the foundation of National Solidarity during the Independence War, is symbolized by the relief on the external wall of this tower. A male figure, holding a sword in his one hand, and extending the other towards the enemy crossing our borders in a manner saying “Hold”, is depicted in this relief. The great tree under the extended hand symbolizes our country, and the male figure protecting it, is the nation united for the purpose of independence. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman.

Atatürk’s following words about Defence of Rights are inscribed on the walls of the tower:

“The principal is, to keep the national power active and to render the will of national sovereignty.” (1919)

“From now on the nation will control its life, its independence and its existence.” (1923)

“History can never deny a nation's blood, rights and existence.”(1919)

“It had become clear that the Independence was the most evident desire and faith of the nation, emerging from their heart and conscience.”(1927) Periodic exhibitions on the subject of “Atatürk and the National Struggle” take place in this tower. A model of War Academy, where Atatürk was graduated from, is also in this tower.

20. THE RELIEF ABOUT THE PITCH BATTLE OF SAKARYA

There are a youth, two horses, a woman and a man on the right side of this composition. They are the ones who left their homes in the face of the attacking enemy at the start of the war and set up for the defence of the country. The young man on the right, turning back to the enemy with left arm raised fist clenched, and says, “One day we shall return and take our revenge.”

In front of this trio there is a carriage stuck in the mud, struggling horses, one man and two women trying to turn the wheel and a woman kneeling down and presenting a sword to a standing warrior. This group of figures depicts the times before the Battle of Sakarya. On the left side of this group, there are two women and a child sitting on the ground symbolizing the people under enemy occupation and waiting for the Turkish army. Above these people a victory angel is presenting a wreath to Mustafa Kemal.

At the end of the composition the woman sitting on the ground symbolizes the mother land, kneeling down young man the victorious Turkish Army of the Battle of Sakarya and the oak tree, the victory. The mother land points out the oak tree, the symbol of the Turkish Army’s victory. The relief is the work of Ilhan Koman.

21. THE RELIEF ABOUT THE BATTLE OF COMMANDER - IN - CHIEF

The group on the left side of the composition made up of a peasant woman, a young boy and a horse symbolizes the period of preparations for the war as a nation. In the next section, Atatürk stretching one arm and saying, “Armies, your first target is the Mediterranean, march!” The angel in front, with her bugle, sends Atatürk’s order to distant horizons. In the next section of the relief which symbolizes the sacrifices and heroism of the Turkish Army, depicts scenes of a fierce battle, falling soldier passing on the flag to another warrior and soldiers in the trenches all symbolize the charge of the Turkish Army. Ahead is the victory angel, calling for the Turkish Army by holding the Turkish flag in one hand. The relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoglu.

22. MAUSOLEUM

The most prominent part of Anitkabir is the mausoleum. The dais for the speakers is positioned in the centre of the 42 steps ground stairs leading up to the mausoleum. In front of this marble dais, which is facing the ceremonial ground and decorated with circular geometric patterns, Atatürk’s words “Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation” are inscribed? The dais is work of Kenan Yontuc.

The mausoleum with the dimensions 75 x 52 x 17 m. has a rectangular plan and surrounded by 8 columns at the front and near facades, and 14 columns at the sides, each one is 14.40 m. high. On the left, Atatürk’s address to Turkish Youth and on the right of the mausoleum facade, the speech he made on the occasion of 10th Anniversary of the Turkish Republic, are inscribed. The stone relief letters are in gold gilding.

23. HALL OF HONOURS

Bronze doors open into the Hall of Honours. Atatürk’s last message to the Turkish Army on 29 October 1938, is at the right of the entrance. The second President Ismet Inönü’s letter of condolence to the Turkish people dated 21 November 1938, after the death of Atatürk, is placed at the left side of the entrance. These two inscriptions are written on the walls in 1981, on the occasion of Atatürk’s centennial birthday.

Atatürk’s symbolic tomb is right across the entry and is in a niche with a large window at the rear. The tomb stone is a monolithic red marble weighing 40 tons. The raised platform, where the tomb stone is placed on, is white marble from Afyon. The floor of the Hall of Honours is paved by marbles from Adana and Hatay and the walls were clad with marbles from Afyon and Bilecik in red, black and green colours and tiger hide patterns.

The ceilings of the Hall of Honours and the side galleries are decorated with mosaics. There are 12 bronze torches equally divided on the side walls of the Hall of Honours. The ceiling of this hall has 27 beams and it is 17 m. high. The flat roof of the mausoleum is covered by lead.

24. THE GRAVE ROOM
Atatürk’s honoured corpse is buried in the earth in the ground floor of the mausoleum. The grave room is situated right under the symbolic tomb stone placed in the first floor of the mausoleum. It has an octagonal plan in Seljuk and Ottoman architectural style, and its pyramidal ceiling is decorated with mosaics in geometrical patterns. Floor and walls are paved and clad with red, black and white marbles. In the middle of the grave room is the marble sarcophagus positioned towards the south, in direction of Mecca. The brass cups containing the soils from all provinces and from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are placed around the marble sarcophagus.

Ankara - Atatürk's Residence Museum Pavilion

Who would have thought that this vineyard house, built at the end of 1800’s in the village of Cankaya in Ankara, would be the witness of the history by being the residence of a worldwide known leader who would change the faith of his nation?

From the day he arrived in Ankara on 27 December 1919, until 1921 Atatürk first resided in the School of Agriculture and than after being elected as the President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, resided in the stone building near the Central Station. In June 1921 he moved to this vineyard pavilion. Today you can see the inscription at the entrance of this house where Atatürk lived most of his 56 years of life-span:

“This is an old vineyard house. It was bought by Bulgurluzade Mehmet and Rifat Beys of Ankara and, in 1921, presented to Atatürk under the leadership of Ankara Müfti Hodja Rifat Börekci in the name of Ankara people. Atatürk accepted this present in the condition that it was to be transferred to the Army and named “Army Pavilion”. Originally two-storey building has a marble pool in the ground floor ante hall. After a minor refurbishment Atatürk moved to this house in June 1921 from the Ankara Station building where he was residing.

In 1924 additions and restorations made by architect Mehmet Vedat Bey brings the building to its present state.
These additions are the glazed entrance in the front, a longitudinal office and a new kitchen at the back, and the tower at the side. This building, used as the first Presidential Palace of the Turkish Republic until the new Presidential Palace built in June 1932. This building, which has an important place in the history of the Republic, is preserved in its original state with all its furnishings.

When you put your feet onto the entrance courtyard of this modest house, which later on restored to a pavilion and furnished with a good taste and comfort but still away from the splendour of grand palaces, you will find yourself in the 1920’s.

While your mind and feelings try to adjust themselves to this sudden trip in history, your body will reach to the hall. And, from than on, you will start to live in the past. You will see the traces of Atatürk on the furniture, in every corner, and will be seized with a feeling expecting that he will suddenly come out from one of the doors. With an excitement of feeling like living in those days, the whole building will settle in your brain. It is important to mention that the pool table at the entrance hall, which Atatürk played during his residence in this villa, used to be in the hall at the top floor. But it was moved to the ground floor with a worry that, being a very heavy table, it might collapse the floor of this old building.

Right across the hall the Dining Room door, at the right side of the hall the door of the Green Room and on the left side the door of the Envoys Reception Room and the stairs going to the top floor will invite you to know this Museum Pavilion. In the hall you will see the piano and the seating group. On the walls two paintings and the photographs of Atatürk, taken in various dates, are hanged. The middle door of the hall, which has three entrances, is closed and the pool closet is placed in front of it. The beauty of the kilim drapery covering that door will draw attention. All these years have never changed the elegance of the drapery.

In the Envoy Reception Room at the left side of the hall, a lounge room suite, presented to Atatürk by the Khedive of Egypt, Abbas Hilmi Pasha, and very much loved by him, consist of three armchairs, a settee, a study desk and a closet, all with nacre work, can be seen.

When you enter to this room, you will have a feeling covering your consciousness that you are in the presence of Atatürk. Some photographs on the walls with nacre-work frames and the photograph on the study desk virtually will draw the person towards them. On the photograph you will read this handwritten note: “21 September 1935 - From Istanbul to Ankara, in the railway car”.The Green Room that is across the Envoy Reception Room, with its lounge room suits, glass cabinet and photographs, is the reception and lounge room. It also has an opening to the dining room.

The dinners given by Atatürk in Cankaya are very well known. When you enter to the dining room you may feel yourself like an early arrived guest. The first thing that will catch the eye in that room with the furniture unique of its time is the fireplace right across the door opening to the hall with engraved woodwork covering both sides and the chimney and the windows with stained glass at both sides of the fireplace. There is also a breakfast table for four, and a poker table near by the entrance of the Green Room.

Two glass cabinets, a sideboard, a console table, two phonographs and two large earthenware vases are placed harmoniously within the room and around the fireplace. The sets placed in the glass cabinets and in the sideboard are just like ready for use. In the middle of the room right in front of the settee a large silver brazier gives a different image to the room.

In the hall, above the Dining Room door, a painting of Hüseyin Avni Lifis dated 1922 and above the Green Room door, the “Crying Woman” painting of the same painter signed with arabic letters, will suddenly catch your eyes.

The dirge sang to martyr, whose belongings are the only things returned from the front, will reverberate in your ears. When you exit from the dining room, the stairs just at the right side of the door will take you to the private moments of Atatürk’s life.

On the top floor there are six doors opening to the hall. One is the door that enters to the hall from the stairs. The one at the left, the bedroom door; the one at the right is the rest room door; the door looking towards the front is the balcony door and the one right across is the library door. An oval table (where the pool table was before), a couch, two armchairs and two glass cabinets are placed in the middle of the hall. There is a big brazier placed in front of the balcony door. In one of the cabinets the medals of Atatürk and the National Assembly membership certificate; in the other the first sets of Atatürk postage stamps are displayed.

The rest room, which also has a door opening to the stair hall, is a small modest bedroom for a single person. A divan, an armchair, a small desk, a wardrobe and two hassocks are in the room. A wall clock, a painting and photographs of Atatürk and Fethi Okyar, decorates this room. It is rumoured that Atatürk loved this room very much.

Both doors across the rest room open to the library. When you enter to the library from the right, you can almost feel that Atatürk is sitting on the study desk. Perhaps, Atatürk has formed most of his ideas while sitting on this desk. He started to write the “The Great Speech” in this library.
The books in the library are the important evidences of how Atatürk has broadened his horizon and formed his cultural structure. It is possible to see how he had taken notes in the pages, and underlined some sentences.

You can pass to the tower room from the rear end of the library, where a section furnished like part of the library with some more bookshelves, a round table with four chairs and an armchair in the corner with a floor lamp and this section also has a door opening to the bedroom. In the tower room, which the dark colours dominate, again a study desk, armchairs and a bear hide, a present of Muhtar Bey, the Ambassador for Moscow, can be seen.
Now your steps convoy you to the last section, the most private space of a man; the bedroom. The bedroom also, as any other sections of the pavilion, is decorated simply and with a good taste. The bed of Atatürk is kept with his pillow, quilt and bedspread as it was on those days. His slippers at the side of the bed give a feeling that the owner will just come in to the room and wear them. One of the two dressing tables is placed next to the bathroom. The toilet articles on the dressing table are known that they belong to his wife Latife Hanim. The only evidences of Latife Hanim in the pavilion, during Atatürk's marriage to her between the dates 9 January 1923 and 5 August 1925, are these toilet articles.

In the bedroom besides a wardrobe, an armchair and a small round table with chairs, the youth photograph of Zübeyde Hanim hanged on the fireplace attract attention. The bathroom was made of the best material available in those days. Besides the inlaid bathtub a door opens to a stair hall. Your tour within the residence of Atatürk ends with the bathroom. When you go down from the stairs and go out of the pavilion, your eyes will meet what Atatürk calls “my greatest work” with the modern Capital of the Republic, Ankara.

Address: Presidential Palace Garden, Cankaya, Ankara

Telephone: +90 (312) 427 43 30 ext. 317

Ankara - Independence War Museum (1stTurkish Grand National Assembly Building)

History of the Building

The building is located in Ulus Square, Ankara. Initially it was planned as the Committee of Union and Progress Party building and designed by the pious foundation's architect Salim Bey and the construction, which started in 1915, was supervised by the Army Corps architect Hasip Bey.

The two-storey building is in Turkish architectural style and its most prominent characteristic is the use of Ankara stone (andesite) in its masonry walls.
When the decision was given to gather the National Assembly in this building on 23 April 1920, the construction was not yet complete. It was completed as a result of the enthusiasm and contributions of the people.

The building functioned as the I. Turkish Grand National Assembly between 23 April 1920 and 15 October 1924. Later, it was used as People's Republican Party headquarters and Law School. In 1952 it was transferred to the Ministry of Education and restoration works started in 1957 to convert the building for a museum. It was opened to public as the Turkish Grand National Assembly Museum in 23 April 1961.

In the beginning of 1981, the new restoration and refurbishment work started by the Antiquities and Museums General Directorate of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism within the programme of Atatürk's centenary birth celebrations. The building reopened to the public as the Independence War Museum on 23 April 1981.

Opening of the I. Turkish Grand National Assembly

Crowds of thousands of people gathered around the building for the opening of Assembly on 23 April 1920. After the ceremonies the Assembly had its first meeting with 115 representatives. The first speech was made by the President of the Assembly, elected for being the oldest member, Sinop representative Serif Bey.

“Honourable members of the Assembly,
It is well known that the Capitol of Caliphate and the Government has been occupied in temporary terms by the enemy forces and our independence has been restricted in every respect. Submission to these conditions means acceptance of captivity imposed by the foreign powers. However, eternally free and an independent nation of ours, determined to exist in absolute independence, rejected this captivity with final determination and by gathering its representatives, brought into being this Grand Assembly of ours. In the name of the speaker of the Grand Assembly and by the help of God, I declare the principals of absolute independence and self determination of the nation to the whole world and open the National Assembly.”

After this opening speech, Ankara representative Mustafa Kemal had his turn to speak and explained the method implemented for the election of members to form the assembly:

“As you all know, our Grand Assembly is constituted by the re-elected honourable members charged with extraordinary powers and honourable members fleeing from the Government Capital which was attacked and occupied. The constitution of this Grand Assembly was made possible only by the new election system, which included those who were able to flee from the capital and join us. Presently your Assembly is meeting with all legalities.”
The second session of the Assembly held on 24 April 1920 and Mustafa Kemal unanimously elected as the President of the Assembly.
Mustafa Kemal made a lengthy and significant speech in this meeting. Saying, “There is no power above this Grand Assembly anymore...” indicated the importance of this Assembly.

Independence War concluded by the successful leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal and the decisions taken in the First Turkish Grand National Assembly. Among those decisions are, approval of the First Constitution on 20 January 1921, approval of the National Anthem on 12 March 1921 and abolishing of Sultanate on 1 November 1922. Approval of Lausanne Peace Treaty on 24 July 1923, establishing Ankara as the Capital City of the Turkish Republic on 13 October 1923, Declaration of Republic and the election of Gazi Mustafa Kemal as the First President of the Republic on 29 October 1923, are also taken place in this Assembly.

In one of his speeches, Atatürk saying, “The Grand National Assembly is the living symbol of the Turkish Nation's century’s old search for self determination and consciousness...” pointed the significance of the Grand National Assembly.

Sections of the Building

Corridor

On the left side of the corridor and in the rooms opening to it, the events between the years 1918 - 1923 are recounted in chronological order by oil paintings, photographs, documents, various items, and models of war weapons, tools and equipments.
On the right side of the corridor and in the rooms opening to it, work of the Assembly sessions, photographs of representatives from the first and the second term of the Assembly, oil paintings, documents, memorials and various items are displayed.

Presidential Board - Cabinet Room

The first room on the left side of the corridor. This room had been used as the Cabinet Room and as well as the Presidential Board room. The President’s pulpit used in Sivas Congress,the cabinet table and chairs, and photographs of the members of the First Cabinet after the declaration of the Republic are in display in this room. Original appearance and arrangement of the room is preserved.

Committee Room

The second room on the left side of the corridor. The room used as the Committee Room to study and investigate various subjects related to the issues at hand in the Assembly. In this room, the facts about Moudros Armistice Agreement, Mustafa Kemal’s arrival in Samsun, Amasya Circular, Erzurum and Sivas Congresses, and the National Pact are introduced by documents, photographs and various items. The most valued item on display in this room is the seal used in Erzurum Congress.

Lounge Room (Lobby)

The third room on the left side of the corridor was used as the Assembly Lobby. There is an oil paint depicting Mustafa Kemal's arrival in Ankara. Opening of the Assembly, terms of Sevres and Lausanne Agreements in relation to Turkey, and I. And II. Battles of Inönü are introduced by photographs, documents and maps. Also the telephone switchboard used during the Independence War, some weapons and other various items and a silver cutlery set presented to Kazim Karabekir Pasha at the Gümrü Agreement Ceremony are on display in this room.

Legislative Committee Room

The fourth room on the left side of the corridor.The Committees investigated the accordance of the bills with the Constitution in this room. The Great Offensive, the last stage of the Independence War, is introduced by photographs, documents and maps. Also there are, a rug symbolizing the National Pact, Independence War, medals and an oil painting depicting Gazi Mustafa Kemal and his friends on the balcony of the Assembly Building.

Administration Room

The fifth room on the left side of the corridor used as the administrative office National Anthem, the photographs of the commanders who took part in the Independence War, documents of Mudanya Armistice and Lausanne Agreement, establishing Ankara as the Capital City, declaration of Republic, Mustafa Kemal’s first speech in the Assembly after elected as the President of the Republic and his photograph on this occasion. Mustafa Kemal’s cane, Mauser rifle, seals, field glasses he used in the Independence War, samples of uniforms, the flag hoisted onto the Grand National Assembly on 23 April 1920 with Recep Peker’s signature and a cloth with inscriptions presented to the Grand National Assembly by the Women’s Charity Society, are introduced and displayed in this room.

Administration Rooms

The fifth and the sixth room on the right side of the corridor were both used as the Administrative rooms of the Assembly. Again today the sixth room is used as the Administrative Office of the Museum. In the fifth room, photographs and identity cards of the first and second term members of the Assembly, Mauser rifles given to the members by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Independence War Medals, badges, documents and personal souvenirs are on display.

Grand Assembly Hall

The Assembly Hall is located on the right side of the corridor. The original configuration is preserved in this hall. In the middle the Assembly President’s and the Chair Councils pulpit is located, and behind it the inscription in the old alphabet says, “Sovereignty belongs to the Nation.” Cabinet members sit across the pulpit, side rows belongs to representatives, the diplomatic corps sit on the right side mezzanine while the audiences sit on the left side mezzanine. Space under the side of the mezzanine is alloted to local and foreign press agents and staff.
The pulpit used when the Assembly gathered on 23 April 1920 in this hall, was made and presented by a carpenter of Ankara, rows were taken from the Ankara Teachers’ Schools’ classes, the two kerosene lamps and the stoves were taken from the neighbouring coffee houses, office materials were brought from the government offices. The foundation of the first Assembly building, based on Sovereignty of the Nation was laid down in this building with the aid of its people.
Masjid
The first room on the right of the Museum entrance. In this simply decorated room some prayer rugs and Koran Rahle’s (low reading book rest) are on display.

The Assembly President’s Room
The second room on the right and also the study room of Mustafa Kemal in the Assembly Building. The original state of the room is preserved and displayed as it is.

Many important decisions were taken in this simply decorated room. The Presidential seal, which is put on display on the occasion of National Days time to time, is the most important and distinguished piece of this museum.

Basement Floor
This floor is presently being used as the exhibition gallery, for storage and as the photograph laboratory.

Ankara -2nd Turkish Grand National Assembly Republican Museum

The building, designed by architect Vedat Tek (1873-1942) and built as the Republican’s People Party Headquarters in 1923, was later converted to function as the Assembly building. Two-storey building has also a basement floor. Centrally located two-storey high main assembly hall is surrounded by rooms on three sides. The main entrance hall which stretches all along the entry facade, has two grand stairs at opposite ends and its ceiling is decorated with Seljuk and Ottoman ornaments and patterns. The main assembly hall, with audience boxes arranged in sections within, is also decorated in a similar style. Its star patterned timber ceiling, arcs, cornices and many sections with mosaic decorations, except the crown door and a few other items which are included into the main hall afterwards, reflect the architectural characteristics of its time.

I. Turkish Grand National Assembly building, in spite of some alterations made later, was inadequate to satisfy the growing needs of the Assembly of the Turkish Republic. That is why the II. Turkish Grand National Assembly was built and opened on 18 October 1924.

II. Turkish Grand National Assembly is an important building in which Atatürk’s principals and reforms came to life, the most important decisions taken on the way to develop the new Republic by contemporary legislation, also where the international treaties and agreements made to increase Turkey's prestige and activities in the international arena and transition to multiple party system taken place between 1924 - 1960. II. Turkish Grand National Assembly played an important role in Turkish political history for a period of 36 years until 27 May 1960. After moving the Assembly to its new modern building in 1961, the building was allotted to the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO). The building functioned as the headquarters of CENTO between the years 1961 and 1979 and after the abolishing of CENTO in the same year, it was transferred to the Ministry of Culture. The decision was made to arrange the front section of the building as Museum of Republic and the rear section as the administration building for the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums. The museum section, after refurbishment and restorations, opened to public exhibition on 30 October 1981 as “Museum of Republic”. It functioned with this arrangement until 1985. This same year it was closed to public and new restoration works started. The works continued until 1991 and in January 1992 the museum reopened to public. The events comprising the era of the first three presidents of the Republic are presented by their own words, speeches, photos and personal items and also the decisions taken and the laws passed by the Grand Assembly during the same period are on display in this museum.

Sections of the Museum

First Room on the Right Side of the Corridor

This room,originally the Accountancy Room of the II. Turkish Grand National Assembly today is called “Atatürk's Principals Room”. Atatürk’s Republicanist, Nationalist, Populist, Statist, Secularist and Reformist principals are presented by his own words and photos through illuminated panels in this room. Second Room on the Right Side of the Corridor Originally the prayers room of the II. Turkish Grand National Assembly today is “Atatürk’s Reforms Room”. The Constitution, establishment of new laws, dress and attire reforms, international calendar, time and measurements, new Turkish Alphabet, surname law, Great Speech, 10th Year Speech, Turkish Aviation Society; railways, economy, industry and events related to Atatürk’s reforms, legislation proposals, laws, newspaper clips, Atatürk’s words and photos, items related to above subjects are exhibited in this room through illuminated panels and showcases. Third Room on the Right Side of the Entrance Originally used as “Legal Proceedings Secretariat” room during the Second Turkish Grand National Assembly, is today “Atatürk Room.” Atatürk's signatures and handwritings of his own words and speeches, abolishing of religious orders and cells, establishment of the Turkish Historical and Turkish Language Societies, foreign policy, Montreux Agreement of Turkish Straits, agriculture, archeology and fine arts, granting the Turkish women’s sufferance and the events about Atatürk’s death, are presented by illuminated panels and showcases. Atatürk’s some personal belongings are also displayed in this room.

First Room on the Left Side of the Entrance

During the Second Turkish Grand National Assembly this room was used as “Legislation Secretariat Room.” Today in this room,III. President of the Republic Mahmut Celal Bayar's life and events between 1950 and 1960 are presented by his own words and photographs. Some of his personal belongings, donated to the museum by his family, are also displayed in this room.

Second Room on the Left Side of the Entrance
Originally it used as “Board of Directors Room” or “Administrative Committee Room” during the Second Turkish Grand National Assembly period. Today it is being used to display banknotes and coins, stamps, memorial coins and medals which put into circulation since the founding of the Republic.

Third Room on the Left Side of the Entrance
Originally it used as “Archives Secretariat Room” during the Second Turkish Grand National Assembly period. Today it is being used to display the 2nd President of the Republic, Ismet Inönü's life and events between 1938 and 1950 by his own words and photographs. Some of his personal belongings, donated to the museum by his family, are also on display in this room.

Main Assembly Hall

The General Assembly Hall of the Second Turkish Grand National Assembly period has a very important place in the history of the Turkish Republic. From the very first days of the Republic, this hall had been the centre stage of all the speeches, decisions taken to materialize the great enterprises of the nation. Assembly’s presidential pulpit is located at the centre between the main entries of the hall are for the Ambassadors’ lodges and the Honourable Presidential lodge is on the left side and the audience and press boxes are at the back of the hall. In this hall there are times when that the number of members of parliaments had been up to 610, between 1924 -1960.

In order to achieve the present days modern museum exhibition, and for the better education of the visitors, live presentation techniques are used, the natural environment preserved and wax statues are made for this purpose. Atatürk’s Great Speech given on 15 - 20 October 1927, the most important document and the source of the history of the Turkish Republic, starting from the Independence War, is being presented in this hall. Important passages of the speech are also narrated by the actors of the State Theatre to support the live presentation.
The Great Speech is the most important source of our political and military history, and also the most mature and beautiful example of Turkish oratory art.
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This Speech is a first hand account of Rebirth of the Nation, Independence War and the first years of the Republic (1919 - 1927) based on documents and sources in great detail.

Love of the Nation, respects to the humanity and understanding of morality are the basics of this speech. Atatürk says “The day I arrived in Samsun in May 1919, I had no power in my hands, only highest spiritual power filling my conscience stemmed from the nobility of the Turkish Nation. Trusting only to this power and to the Turkish Nation I started this noble mission.”

This building was converted to a museum after being transferred to the Ministry of Culture which functioned as the Turkish Grand National Assembly until 1960. Today in this museum, besides the routine exhibitions, occasional exhibitions, video shows and serial conferences take place in order to introduce the Independence War, the Republic and Atatürk to the visitors, especially to the young generation.

Second Floor of the Museum
During the II. Turkish Grand National Assembly second floor rooms were Presidential Room, Presidential Reception Room where the President received the foreign and Turkish statesmen, President’s Private Secretary’s Room, Prime Minister and Cabinet Rooms, Assembly Chairman’s Room, Assembly Chairman's Private Secretary's Room and Committee Room. However, the functions of the rooms had been altered time to time according to the changing conditions.

Address: Cumhuriyet Avenue, Ulus / Ankara

Telephone: +90 (312) 311 04 73

Ankara - Ethnographical Museum

This museum is built on a hill known as Muslim Cemetery at the Namazgah District of Ankara. The site was allotted to the Ministry of Education by the General Directorate of Foundations on 15 November 1925 for the purpose of building a museum.

For the revolutionaries, the participants of the Independence War, preserving the material and spiritual heritage of the Turkish culture, and the necessity to build an ethnographical museum was an important issue. For that matter, the Minister of Education Hamdullah Suphi Tanriöver asked one of the directors of the Budapest Ethnographical Museum and his old time turcologist colleague J. Meszaros for his expertise on establishing such a museum and offered him the job. The fact we know from a report submitted to the Ministry on 29 November 1924 by Prof. Meszaros. Therefore, first in 1924 under the leadership of Prof. Celal Esad (Arseven) in Istanbul and later in 1925 under Halil Ethem (Erdem), the director of Istanbul Museum, a special committee was formed for the preparations of establishing a Folks Museum and for the collection and purchasing of the necessary art works. Later in 1927, after the completion of the building, these 1250 purchased items put on display in this museum. First director of the museum was Hamit Zübeyr Kosar.

Gazi Mustafa Kemal, after visiting and having been informed about the museum on 15 April 1928, ordered the opening of the museum on the occasion of Afghan King Amanullah Han’s official visit to Turkey. The museum opened to public on 18 July 1930 and remained open until the inner court was converted to a temporary grave for Atatürk. Atatürk's coffin stayed in this court until it was transferred to Anitkabir in 1953. This section of the museum is still preserved as a symbolic mausoleum in memory of Atatürk with an inscription on a white marble plate, saying:

“This is the place where Atatürk rested in peace between 21 November 1938 and 10 November 1953 after his death on 10 November 1938.”


For 15 years the Ethnographical Museum functioned as a mausoleum where all heads of states, ambassadors, foreign envoys and people visited Atatürk with respect. During this time improvement works continued in the museum and completed, on the occasion of the International Week of Museums 6-14 November 1956, opened again to public exhibition.

The architect of the building Arif Hikmet (Koyunoglu) is one of the most valued architects of the Republican period.

The building has a rectangular plan and one central dome. Its masonry walls are plated with küfeki stone mand marble coronets have carved decorations.
Grand stairs to the building have 28 risers. Triple entry has four columns outside and inside is the domed hall. You can also enter the colonnaded inner court from this hall. The inner court had a marble pool with an open roof. Later, when it was converted as a temporary grave for Atatürk, the pool was relocated into the garden and the inner court was enclosed with a roof. In a symmetrical way the inner court is surrounded with various sizes of display halls. Two-storey administration section is adjacent to the museum.

The bronze statue of Atatürk mounted on a horse in front of the museum, made by the Italian artist P. Conanica, had been ordered by the National Education Ministry in 1927.

Turkish Art works from Seljuk period to present are on display in the Ethnographical Museum.
Displayed folk attires, ornaments, clogs and shoe examples, local Sivas women’s and men’s socks, purses, embroideries, embroidered kerchiefs, belts, napkins, bundles, quilts, brides wedding dresses, bridegrooms shaving sets are all good samples of traditional Turkish (Folk) art works collected from every corner of Anatolia.

There is a rich collection of kilims and rugs woven in local workshops from Bergama, Kula, Milas, Ladik, Karaman, Nigde and Kirsehir, all with peculiar technics, materials and styles.

Many good samples of Anatolian ironmongery art work, such as 15th Century Memluk cauldrons, Ottoman sherbet cauldrons, brass and copper bowls, ewers, jugs and coffee trays, jugs, cups, dishes and candle holders are also on display.

Ottoman period bows, arrows, flint pistols and rifles, swords, yataghans, Turkish china and Kütahya porcelains, articles related to Sufis and other dervish orders and good examples of Turkish calligraphy art are all displayed in the museum.

Seljuk Sultan III. Keyhüsrev’s throne (12th Century), Ahi Serafettin’s Sarcophagus (14th Century), the altar of Tashur Pasha Mosque from Damsa village, Ürgüp, Nevsehir (12th Century), the pulpit of Siirt Ulu Mosque (12th Century), and the crown door of Merzifon Celebi Sultan Medresseh (15th Century) are the most beautiful examples of Turkish woodwork and important items displayed in the museum.
The collection, donated to the museum by VII. term member of the Turkish National Grand Assembly Besim Atalay contains Turkish art works belonging to various periods.

The museum’s specialized library compiles works, related to Anatolian ethnography, folk art and history of fine arts.

Address: Talatpasa Bulvari, Opera / Ankara

Telephone: +90 (312) 311 95 56