The house in which Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, resided as a tenant during the National Struggle period now serves as a museum for all citizens and visitors of Istanbul. Atatürk lived in this house—the place where the first steps towards a nation's liberation were taken—between December 1918 and May 16, 1919. During this time, he was accompanied by close colleagues such as İsmet (İnönü) Pasha, Ali Fuat (Cebesoy) Pasha, Kazım (Karabekir) Pasha, and Rauf Orbay.
On November 14, 1925, a plaque was ceremoniously placed on the exterior wall of the house with the following words: "Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha prepared the salvation of the homeland in this house in the year 1335 (1919)."
The house was purchased by the Istanbul Municipality on May 28, 1928, and on June 15, 1942, was opened to visitors as the Atatürk Revolution Museum by the Governor and Mayor of Istanbul at the time, Lütfi Kırdar. After suffering a fire on January 9, 1962, the house was repaired and reopened on March 4, 1962. In 1977, with the support of the Touring Automobile Association and Türkiye İş Bankası, it was restored and reopened on May 19, 1981. The museum was closed for restoration in 1989 and reopened in 1991.
Over time, the building suffered wear and tear and underwent a comprehensive restoration by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 2014–2015. During this period, the museum’s display and exhibition plans were also renewed.
A large part of the Atatürk Museum’s collection consists of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's personal belongings. These include his clothes, uniforms, photos from his civil and military life, handwritten documents, medals, and memorabilia.
Among the items donated to the museum by his sister, Makbule Atadan, are Atatürk’s civilian clothes, handkerchiefs and shirts embroidered with “Mustafa Kemal,” as well as his underwear. Additionally, Atatürk’s marshal uniform and the suit he wore at the Sivas Congress are on display in the museum.
Many keepsakes such as writing sets, cigarette cases, medals, and a radio-phonograph with wooden furniture gifted by U.S. President Roosevelt are also part of the collection.
The museum also features oil paintings by artists İbrahim Çallı and Sami Yetik. Additionally, a separate section displays ten watercolors by V. Pisani, depicting the Greek invasion of Izmir.
Since Atatürk’s aide-de-camp, Cevat Abbas, also resided in the house during the same period, some of his personal belongings have been purchased from his family and included in the collection for exhibition.
Throughout the year, the museum hosts events organized in cooperation with the Şişli District Governorship, Şişli District Directorate of National Education, and Şişli Municipality, including:
May 16: The day Atatürk left the house to board the Bandırma Ferry
May 19: Atatürk Memorial, Youth and Sports Day
September 19: Veterans Day
November 10: Atatürk Memorial Day
There is also a library inside the museum that contains books written about Atatürk.
Address: Halaskargazi Street No: 140, Şişli
