Mehmet Akif Ersoy Memory House

Mehmet Âkif Ersoy Memory House is the apartment where Mehmet Âkif Ersoy (1873–1936), the poet of the İstiklal Marşı, spent his final days and passed away between 16 June 1936 and 27 December 1936. It is located on the fourth floor of the historic Mısır Apartmanı on İstiklal Caddesi in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district.

^{Mehmet Akif Ersoy Hatıra Evi} (AA)

^{Mehmet Akif Ersoy Hatıra Evi} (AA)

Mehmet Âkif Ersoy traveled to Egypt in 1925 at the invitation of his friend Abbas Halim Pasha and lived there for eleven years. He returned to Istanbul in ill health on 16 June 1936 and took up residence in the apartment on the fourth floor of the Mısır Apartmanı, which belonged to Abbas Halim Pasha.

Despite receiving treatment at Nişantaşı Sıhhat Yurdu Hospital and at Alemdağ Farm, his health did not improve and he passed away in this apartment on 27 December 1936.

^{Mehmet Akif Ersoy Hatıra Evi} (AKM)

The conversion of the apartment in the Mısır Apartmanı into a memory house had long been demanded by the public. In 2018, following Mehmet Âkif Ersoy’s receipt of the “Vefa Award” from the Presidency’s Culture and Arts Grand Awards, museumization efforts accelerated and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism acquired and restored the apartment.

On 12 March 2021, the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the İstiklal Marşı, the memory house was opened to the public with the participation of Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya.

^{Mehmet Akif Ersoy Hatıra Evi} (AKM)

The memory house consists of four main sections:

• Mehmet Âkif Library
• Documentary Room
• Poetry Room
• Exhibition Hall

The library section displays the poet’s works and studies written about him. The documentary room presents digital content and visual materials on Mehmet Âkif Ersoy’s life, literary activities, and his role during the National Struggle. The poetry room features content reflecting the poet’s emotional and intellectual world, while the exhibition hall showcases various documents and works.

^{Akif's Belongings} (AKM)

^{Akif's Chronological Life} (AKM)

The memory house contains personal belongings and materials related to Mehmet Âkif Ersoy’s works. These include personal items such as his glasses and watch, as well as his books. In addition, printed scores of the İstiklal Marşı, digital exhibitions, documentary content, and chronologically presented studies on the poet’s life are presented to visitors.

^{Mısır Apartmanı} (AKM)

The memory house is located within the Mısır Apartmanı, a building notable for its architecture in Beyoğlu. The building was constructed by Egyptian Abbas Halim Pasha as a winter residence on the site of the demolished Trocadero Theatre. Its architect was Hosvep Aznavuryan; construction began in 1905 and was completed in 1910. Originally designed in Western architectural style, the building was later converted into an apartment complex. It is situated near the Saint Antoine Catholic Church in Beyoğlu.

Mehmet Âkif Ersoy Memory House is open free of charge every day from 09:00 to 19:00. This site, a significant symbol of Turkish literature and the National Struggle, has become a cultural center dedicated to preserving the memory of Mehmet Âkif Ersoy. It hosts the annual Mehmet Âkif Ersoy Commemoration Week events, held between 20 and 27 December.