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Who would have thought that this vineyard house, built at the end of 1800’s in the village of Cankaya in Ankara, would be the witness of the history by being the residence of a worldwide known leader who would change the faith of his nation?
From the day he arrived in Ankara on 27 December 1919, until 1921 Atatürk first resided in the School of Agriculture and than after being elected as the President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, resided in the stone building near the Central Station. In June 1921 he moved to this vineyard pavilion. Today you can see the inscription at the entrance of this house where Atatürk lived most of his 56 years of life-span:
“This is an old vineyard house. It was bought by Bulgurluzade Mehmet and Rifat Beys of Ankara and, in 1921, presented to Atatürk under the leadership of Ankara Müfti Hodja Rifat Börekci in the name of Ankara people. Atatürk accepted this present in the condition that it was to be transferred to the Army and named “Army Pavilion”. Originally two-storey building has a marble pool in the ground floor ante hall. After a minor refurbishment Atatürk moved to this house in June 1921 from the Ankara Station building where he was residing.
In 1924 additions and restorations made by architect Mehmet Vedat Bey brings the building to its present state.
These additions are the glazed entrance in the front, a longitudinal office and a new kitchen at the back, and the tower at the side. This building, used as the first Presidential Palace of the Turkish Republic until the new Presidential Palace built in June 1932. This building, which has an important place in the history of the Republic, is preserved in its original state with all its furnishings.
When you put your feet onto the entrance courtyard of this modest house, which later on restored to a pavilion and furnished with a good taste and comfort but still away from the splendour of grand palaces, you will find yourself in the 1920’s.
While your mind and feelings try to adjust themselves to this sudden trip in history, your body will reach to the hall. And, from than on, you will start to live in the past. You will see the traces of Atatürk on the furniture, in every corner, and will be seized with a feeling expecting that he will suddenly come out from one of the doors. With an excitement of feeling like living in those days, the whole building will settle in your brain. It is important to mention that the pool table at the entrance hall, which Atatürk played during his residence in this villa, used to be in the hall at the top floor. But it was moved to the ground floor with a worry that, being a very heavy table, it might collapse the floor of this old building.
Right across the hall the Dining Room door, at the right side of the hall the door of the Green Room and on the left side the door of the Envoys Reception Room and the stairs going to the top floor will invite you to know this Museum Pavilion. In the hall you will see the piano and the seating group. On the walls two paintings and the photographs of Atatürk, taken in various dates, are hanged. The middle door of the hall, which has three entrances, is closed and the pool closet is placed in front of it. The beauty of the kilim drapery covering that door will draw attention. All these years have never changed the elegance of the drapery.
In the Envoy Reception Room at the left side of the hall, a lounge room suite, presented to Atatürk by the Khedive of Egypt, Abbas Hilmi Pasha, and very much loved by him, consist of three armchairs, a settee, a study desk and a closet, all with nacre work, can be seen.
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