The Sivas Atatürk and Congress Museum is located in the city center of Sivas, in an 1892 building where the sessions of the Sivas Congress (September 4-11, 1919) were held and Mustafa Kemal's study is preserved.
This building was originally intended as a school. Sivas Governor Mazlum Paşazade Mehmet Memduh Bey had it built in 1892 as a Civil High School building: a three-story structure with a stone facade, wooden interior, and an inner courtyard. But history assigned it another role. Between September 2 and December 18, 1919, for 108 days, it served as the headquarters of Mustafa Kemal and the Representative Committee. The sessions of the Sivas Congress were also held here, in the assembly hall, from September 4-11, 1919.
In 1924, it reverted to being a school, this time as Sivas High School, educating students until 1981. In 1983, it was converted into a museum and opened to visitors in 1990. On the ground floor, there are the Armistice of Mudros and Occupation Room, the Sivas Congress Documents Room, and the National Struggle Press and Publication Room. On the upper floor, the congress hall and Atatürk's study-rest room remain as they were during the congress days. Atatürk's desk used during the congress and a total of 41 ethnographic artifacts are exhibited. Visitors generally emphasize the historical significance of the building; the phrase "the foundations of the republic were laid here" frequently appears in comments.
There is also some criticism: some visitors mention that the stairs are poorly maintained and that the surrounding cleanliness is not kept at the desired level. Nevertheless, the overall rating is high, and the experience is mostly reported as positive.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Sivas historical places, Hafik Lake.
Guide's Note
Why is the building so important?
The structure was originally designed as a school: the Civil High School building commissioned by Sivas Governor Mazlum Paşazade Mehmet Memduh Bey in 1892. But between September 2 and December 18, 1919, for 108 days, it became the official headquarters of Mustafa Kemal and the Representative Committee. The sessions of the Sivas Congress, held from September 4-11, 1919, also took place here; 32 members representing 19 provinces participated, with the number changing as more delegates arrived. The building holds a special place in the history of the Republic due to this three-and-a-half-month period.
When to visit
The museum is open every day from 08:00-19:00, with the ticket office closing at 18:45. You won't have to worry about seasonal planning. Around September 4, Sivas Congress commemoration programs are organized, and there is extra activity in the city during this period. If you want a quiet visit, go on a weekday morning, especially between 09:00-11:00. Student groups usually haven't arrived yet.
How to get there
The museum is located in the city center of Sivas, around the Historic City Square. Those arriving from the train station can reach it on foot, as the distance is short. It's also possible to take city buses and minibuses to the center and walk a few minutes. For those coming by car, there is parking available around the center, but finding a spot during peak hours might take time.
How much time should be allocated
Visiting from the Armistice of Mudros and Occupation Room on the ground floor to the congress hall on the upper floor takes 1 - 1.5 hours. If you get an audio guide, the duration will be slightly longer, but this time is sufficient for those who want to read every room and examine the documents. It's logical to add the Sivas Archaeology Museum to your itinerary on the same day in Sivas, as the two museums are close to each other.
Suggested tour order
Starting from the ground floor at the entrance makes it easier to follow the flow: first the Armistice of Mudros and Occupation Room, then the Sivas Congress Documents Room, followed by the Samsun to Sivas Room. When you go upstairs, you reach Mustafa Kemal's study and rest room and the main Congress Hall; these two spaces are preserved as they were during the congress days. Finally, you can complete your visit with the halls depicting the period after the Sivas Congress.
Things to consider
Some visitors note that the maintenance of the stairs is inadequate and that litter left in the surroundings is not sufficiently cleaned by staff. Visiting with a wheelchair or stroller is difficult due to the narrow stairs on the upper floor, so you may need to consider alternatives. Be careful with flash photography, as documents and artifacts may be sensitive to light.
Good spots for photos
The inner courtyard is suitable for the best shot showing the stone facade and three-story structure of the building. The interior of the Congress Hall offers a historical atmosphere with period furniture. Shots taken from outside the building, from İstasyon Street, can also be preferred to capture the 19th-century civil architecture details, stone craftsmanship, and facade arrangement of the structure.
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