Havza Atatürk House Museum

Shortly after arriving in Samsun on May 19, 1919, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk moved to Havza and stayed at the Mesudiye Hotel from May 25 to June 13, 1919. The Havza Circular, drafted during this period, is one of the first documents that called on the public to organize rallies against the occupations in Anatolia and laid the organizational foundation of the War of Independence. Many visitor comments emphasize the same thing: standing under this roof makes the first spark of the National Struggle tangibly felt.

On the ground floor of the building, Atatürk's study and bedroom are preserved with period furniture. Other rooms feature exhibitions detailing the initial phase of the Turkish War of Independence. On the upper floors, local ethnographic artifacts and wax figures are displayed. QR codes placed in front of each exhibit provide detailed information about that piece when scanned with a phone. Visitors find this application particularly practical.

The museum is closed on Mondays; it is open for visits from 08:00 to 18:00 on other days. The mild weather of Havza in spring and autumn makes your trip more comfortable. Weekday hours are much calmer compared to weekends.

The museum is located in the Havza district center, 80 km from the Samsun–Ankara highway. Regular bus and minibus services operate from Samsun to Havza; the journey takes approximately 1.5–2 hours. After reaching Havza, you can easily reach the museum on Atatürk Street on foot or by a short taxi ride due to its central location.

Havza is a small district center offering the simple and satisfying flavors of Black Sea cuisine. In local restaurants around the museum, it is possible to find Black Sea style soup, anchovies, and cornbread. Cafeterias within the thermal spring facilities are also a good option for lunch.

The majority of visitors to Havza combine the museum and the thermal springs on the same day. A practical order could be: first, visit the museum and soak in the historical atmosphere (15–30 minutes), then relax at the nearby Havza Thermal Springs. These thermal springs, where Atatürk also sought healing, are within walking distance of the museum. In the afternoon, try Black Sea cuisine in the district center, and return to Samsun in the evening.

The historical facade and entrance gate of the building are among the most frequently photographed spots by visitors. Inside, the desk arrangement in Atatürk's study and the wax figures are also preferred corners for photos. Shots taken between 08:00 and 12:00, when natural light is best, yield more successful results.

The museum is closed on Mondays. Group visits absolutely require prior appointment; individual visits do not require an appointment. Admission is free. Since the museum is small, it can be comfortably explored within 15–30 minutes; for those who wish to extend this time with a thermal spring visit, Havza Thermal Springs are right next door.