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陌zmir Atat眉rk Museum photo by Dilara Zeynep –

Top 10 Facts about 陌zmir Atat眉rk Museum

陌zmir is a city on Turkey’s west coast. 陌zmir, known as the “jewel of the Aegean regions,” shares many traits with Greece, including lifestyle, mentality, city layout, cuisine, and urban atmosphere.

It is one of Turkey’s most beloved towns and has a vibrant, colourful personality and is one of Turkey鈥檚 national pride.

Foreigners only have one thought in mind when 陌zmir is mentioned: The Ancient City of Ephesus. Aside from this well-known historical site, practically every other popular tourist destination in this city is situated outside of the downtown area, in the surrounding villages.

As a result, most of the local and foreign visitors depart 陌zmir without stopping by the downtown of this metropolitan, where there is also a lot to see. A must-do is to Pop into 陌zmir Atat眉rk Museum to know the history of modern Turkey鈥檚 founding father.

This is a critical piece of history to understand Turkey today! Here are the top 10 facts about the museum.

1. Atat眉rk Museum was founded by Mustafa Kemal Atat眉rk

Mustafa Kemal Atat眉rk photo by TYalaA –

The 陌zmir Atat眉rk Museum is a museum in 陌zmir, Turkey. Founded by Mustafa Kemal Atat眉rk, a Turkish field marshal, revolutionary statesman, and the first President of Turkey.

Turkish field marshal Mustafa Kemal Atat眉rk served as the Republic of Turkey’s first president from 1923 until he died in 1938. He was also an author, statesman, and revolutionary.

He implemented broad, progressive reforms that made Turkey a secular, developing country. Atat眉rk is one of the most significant political figures of the 20th century due to his military and political achievements.

2. It was built between 1875-1880 by an Armenian carpet merchant

Takfor Spartalian, an Armenian carpet dealer, built the 陌zmir Atat眉rk Museum between 1875 and 1880 in 1. Kordon (Atat眉rk Boulevard), G眉ndodu Square, Alsancak, 陌zmir.

This structure was built as a house, but its owner abandoned it and was nationalized as a result.

3. It was used as the headquarters of the Turkish Army

Turkish Army photo by Ray Swi-hymn –

After the abandonment of the building in 1922 during the War of Liberation, it was used by the Turkish Army as its headquarters. After 1923 the Army left the building and it was converted into a hotel, named Naim Palas.

During their visit to 陌zmir on the 16th of June 1926, Ataturk and Ismet Pasha stayed here for a while. In the same year, 陌zmir Municipality purchased the building and presented it to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as a gift, so Ataturk always stayed in this residence during his visits to 陌zmir between 1930 and 1934.

For a while, the Turkish Army used the building as its headquarters and Atat眉rk stayed and carried out his private studies in this building.

4. Atat眉rk Museum was built in a neoclassical style

陌zmir Atat眉rk Museum photo by Dilara Zeynep –

The 陌zmir Ataturk Museum is housed in a four-story neoclassical-style mansion erected in 1880.

The building is a neoclassic style, a mixture of Ottoman and Levantine architectures. Mustafa Kemal Atat眉rk, a revolutionary leader and the first president of the Turkish Republic, previously lived in this building.

Following his death, the 陌zmir municipality converted this residence into a museum, which now houses furniture, paintings, clothing, and other personal things belonging to Ataturk and his wife.

5. Atat眉rk Museum was opened to the public in 1941

In 1926, 陌zmir Municipality purchased the building and presented it to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as a gift, so Ataturk always stayed in this residence during his visits to 陌zmir between 1930 and 1934.

After He died in 1938 the building was inherited by his sister Makbule Baysan and in 1940 the 陌zmir Municipality expropriated the building to convert it to a museum. It was opened to the public in 1941.

The museum contains some furniture and rugs used by Ataturk, some of his objects, books and writing sets.

6. It had been named 鈥淎tat眉rk Provincial Public Library and City of 陌zmir Atat眉rk Museum”

After 5 October 1962, the museum has been named 鈥淎tat眉rk Provincial Public Library and City of 陌zmir Atat眉rk Museum鈥�.

On 25 December 1972, by decree No. 12088 of the Undersecretary of Cultural Affairs of the Prime Minister’s Office, the proprietorship of the building was transferred to 陌zmir Archeological Museum.

After restorations and refurbishment, it was reopened on 29 October 1978 as 鈥淎tat眉rk and Ethnographical Museum鈥�.

On 13 May 1988, the ethnographical items that were on display in the building were moved to the new Ethnographical Museum. After that, it was renamed 鈥淎tat眉rk Museum鈥�.

7. Atat眉rk Museum has a mesmerizing sheer symmetry

Izmir Atat眉rk Museum photo by A.Savin –

The exterior facade is symmetrical, with palm trees also planted in symmetry. On the front facade, there are ten longitudinal and narrow windows, which reflect their architectural style with ornaments, a bay window and a high door.

This museum adds to a slice of a quirk in the city of 陌zmir. The museum is mainly dedicated to the works and life of Atat眉rk who was the first president of Turkey. If you are in front of the building, you will be mesmerized by its sheer symmetry.

8. It became a museum to exhibit the traces of all Turkish historical events

The building became a museum to exhibit the traces of all these historical events told in the story of the building.

The 5 square meter U艧ak carpet, marble statues in the right and left niches, the large crystal mirror and the Atat眉rk portrait on the landing stand out as works that can be seen immediately.

9. Its rooms were furnished with the fashion of the time

Stairs in the Izmir Atat眉rk Museum photo by Dilara Zeynep –

A rectangular-shaped, four-story brick structure with an area of 852 square meters, including the bottom floor and attic, is constructed. It includes bay windows on the first floor at the front and a courtyard and porch at the back.

Large marble tiles are used for the flooring on the ground level, and a 34.5 square meter carpet from Usak covers the hallway. A big crystal mirror, Atat眉rk’s bust, and marble statues may be found in the left and right niches, respectively.

Beautiful fireplaces in the XIX Century style may be found in the rooms on both sides and the modest living room. There are rooms on the first floor that Atat眉rk also used.

In the meeting room, there is a roulette table with a green cloth in the middle and around it, there are 12 ‘Cosmos’ branded chairs. The bedrooms are furnished according to the fashion of that time.

The study room has an oak veneer desk and a writing set used by Atat眉rk on it.

10. Entrance to the Atat眉rk museum is free

Entrance to the museum is free. You can visit this place from 10 am to 5 pm in summer (1 April-1 October) and from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm in winter (1 October-1 April). The museum is closed on weekends.