Florya Atatürk Sea Pavilion

Florya Atatürk Sea Pavilion is a summer pavilion built in 1936 in the Florya neighborhood of Istanbul’s Bakırköy district for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye.

Florya Atatürk Sea Pavilion

Built on a wooden pier extending from the shore into the Sea of Marmara, the pavilion is constructed of reinforced concrete and was designed by the renowned architect of the era, Seyfi Arkan.

Accessible via a 80-meter-long bridge, the pavilion is entirely built of wood on a concrete base supported by 238 iron piles driven into the sea. The total area covered by the pavilion amounts to 1534 square meters, including 626 square meters of enclosed space, 281 square meters of terrace, 275 square meters of pier, and 320 square meters of bridge deck.^【1】

Constructed in approximately 43 days during June and July 1935, the pavilion was completed in 1936 along with its attendant pavilions and service buildings as the Presidency Residence. Atatürk personally selected the site and visited the construction site three times during its development.

Although conceived as a summer retreat and leisure pavilion, Atatürk used the Florya Sea Pavilion to monitor government affairs and convened the Council of Ministers there on two occasions: first on 21 August 1935 and again on 17 June 1936. The “table meetings” he had previously held at Çankaya Pavilion in Ankara and Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul were also held here. These meetings primarily focused on topics related to the Turkish language and history.^【2】 Many prominent figures, including King Edward VIII of England and Mrs. Simpson, visited the pavilion for various meetings and official visits.

The pavilion was last used by Atatürk on 28 May 1938. After his death, it remained in use until 1988 by subsequent Presidents of the Republic of Türkiye: İsmet İnönü, Celal Bayar, Cemal Gürsel, Cevdet Sunay, Fahri Korutürk and Kenan Evren. In 1988, the pavilion was transferred to the Directorate of National Palaces. After a five-year restoration, it has been operating since 1993 as the “Museum Pavilion” under the auspices of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye.

The interior spatial arrangements and furniture designs reflect the aesthetic sensibilities of the period and are in harmony with the building’s character, created by the pavilion’s architect Seyfi Arkan and his team.

Florya Atatürk Sea Pavilion - Atatürk’s Apartment

Inside the pavilion is Atatürk’s apartment, which includes a meeting hall, a study room, a bedroom and a bathroom. In the center of the meeting hall stands a large wooden table known as “Atatürk’s Table,” where numerous political, academic and public figures gathered for meetings and discussions. Adjacent to the meeting hall is Atatürk’s study room and library.

Atatürk and His Spiritual Daughter Ülkü

The pavilion also houses the apartment of Afet İnan, Atatürk’s spiritual daughter. Like the other rooms in the pavilion, this apartment features a simple design. Atatürk’s other spiritual daughter, Ülkü Adatepe, also had an apartment in the pavilion. The children’s room, designed according to its function, contains clothing and personal items from Ülkü Adatepe’s childhood, as well as a model ship donated by her.

In addition, the pavilion includes a guest apartment, a service kitchen, and an attendant’s room.

Basınköy, Çekmece Istanbul Cd. No:23, 34153 Bakırköy/İstanbul.