Atatürk House Museum is a mansion located in Yukarı Mumcu Neighborhood, Erzurum, where Mustafa Kemal Pasha presided over the Erzurum Congress between July 9 and August 29, 1919; it can be visited free of charge.
This mansion was built by a wealthy family from Erzurum in the late 19th century. Between 1915-1916, it was used as the German Consulate for nine months, and after the liberation of Erzurum, it became the governor's residence. Its true importance began on July 9, 1919: Mustafa Kemal Pasha, Hüseyin Rauf Bey, and their friends settled here, continuing the work of the Erzurum Congress for 52 days until August 29. The sentence "After victory, our form of government will be a Republic," written in the notebook kept during the Congress, is considered by historians to be one of the first clear signs of the idea of a Republic.
After the proclamation of the Republic, on September 13, 1924, when Atatürk came to Erzurum, he was presented with the deed to the house and a golden key on behalf of the city. After his death, the mansion passed to his sister Makbule Boysan, who, at her own request, transferred it to the Child Protection Agency. Later, the Ministry of Culture restored it and opened it as a museum on October 3, 1984. The structure, consisting of a basement, ground floor, first floor, and attic, reflects the Erzurum mansion architecture of the period with its cut stone foundation and wooden-beamed rubble stone upper floors.
On the ground floor, personal belongings and photographs of Kazım Karabekir Pasha and Kazım Yurdalan, clothes of Hoca Raif Dinç, and the original printing press where the Albayrak newspaper was printed are exhibited. On the upper floor, Atatürk's study, reception hall, and bedroom are preserved with period furniture such as a mother-of-pearl inlaid brass bed and a mirrored walnut console. This is a small but significant place. Many visitors state that visiting the place where the photograph often seen in history books was taken gives a special feeling. Some comments also note that the content remained simpler than expected. There are also those who forget that it is closed on Mondays and turn back from the door, so check the day before you go.
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Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
The museum is open all year round, and since it's an indoor venue, the season doesn't matter. Those who want to avoid crowds prefer to go before noon on weekdays. In July, due to the anniversary of the Erzurum Congress, the number of visitors increases, and related events are also organized in the city during this period. Since it is closed on Mondays, you need to plan your visit for other days of the week.
How to Get There?
The museum is located approximately 2 kilometers from the city center, in Yukarı Mumcu Neighborhood, Yakutiye district. It can be reached on foot via Çaykara Street and Cumhuriyet Street. If you are far from the center, minibuses heading towards Atatürk University pass through the route. It takes 5-10 minutes by taxi from the center.
Other Museums Nearby
Close to Atatürk House Museum are Erzurum Museum, Erzurum Castle, and the Turkish-Islamic Arts and Ethnography Museum located in Yakutiye Madrasah. It is possible to visit these four places consecutively on the same day, as they are all considered within walking distance of the center.
How Much Time Should You Allocate?
Since the building is two-story and the number of rooms is limited, 30-45 minutes is sufficient. There's no need to rush to see the National Struggle items on the ground floor and the living areas on the upper floor, but it's not a museum with dense content. Some visitors state that they expected a more comprehensive exhibition.
Suggested Itinerary
For those who want to create a one-day history itinerary in Erzurum, Atatürk House Museum, Erzurum Castle, and Yakutiye Madrasah can be fitted into the same day. Starting with the castle in the morning, moving to the museum around noon, and then visiting the madrasah is a logical sequence. All three are close to the center and can be connected on foot.
Things to Know Before You Go
Entry is completely free, so a museum card query is not applicable. There is a small souvenir shop inside, but some visitors mentioned that it only accepts cash, not cards. It is closed on Mondays; some people go without knowing this and turn back from the door. Since the building is small, circulation with a wheelchair or stroller is not comfortable.
For Taking Photos
The stone facade and entrance of the building are suitable for exterior shots. Inside, a large photograph of Atatürk taken during his second visit to Erzurum greets visitors at the top of the stairs; many people stop here to take photos. The mother-of-pearl inlaid bed in the bedroom is also one of the frequently shared details.
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