Housed in the Suphi Paşa mansion where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed during his March 1923 visit to Adana, this museum was opened in 1981 for the centenary of his birth. It displays period furnishings, photographs and memorabilia connected to the founder of the Turkish Republic. The restored konak is a fine example of late-Ottoman civic architecture.
The Atatürk Museum (Atatürk Müzesi) in Adana is housed in the Suphi Paşa Mansion on Seyhan Caddesi in the historic Tepebağ neighbourhood of Seyhan district. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed in this mansion during his visit to Adana in March 1923, at a critically important juncture in the final negotiation of the Treaty of Lausanne and the founding of the Turkish Republic. The building was converted into a museum in 1981 to mark the centenary of his birth and has been maintained since as a memorial institution. The two-storey konak is a handsome example of early-20th-century bourgeois Ottoman domestic architecture, with carved wooden ceilings, tall sash windows, decorative plasterwork and a central hall that retains much of its original furnishing scheme. Exhibited across the main rooms are period photographs documenting Atatürk's 1923 visit and his broader connections to the Çukurova region, personal memorabilia, items of period dress, medals and military regalia, and reproductions of the telegrams sent from Adana during the visit. The private rooms used by Atatürk have been preserved or reconstructed with period furniture to evoke the mansion as it appeared in 1923. A visit takes 30 to 45 minutes and provides insight into both the personal dimension of Atatürk's life and the architectural character of upper-class Adana in the late Ottoman and early Republican era. Entry is free. The museum is within easy walking distance of Bebekli Kilise church and the Tepebağ Höyük historic district.
Good to know
- Hours
- Closed Mon; 08:30-17:00 (ticket office closes 16:30)
- Best time
- Weekday mornings
Location
Seyhan Cd., Tepebağ, 01010 Seyhan/Adana, Turkey
36.9889, 35.3247 View on map
Highlights
- The room where Atatürk stayed during his March 1923 Adana visit, preserved with period furnishings
- Photographs, telegrams and personal memorabilia from the critical pre-Republic visit
- Handsome late-Ottoman konak with carved wooden ceilings, plasterwork and tall sash windows
- Free entry within walking distance of Bebekli Kilise and the Tepebağ historic district
Tips for visiting
- Combine with Bebekli Kilise and Tepebağ Höyük for a single Tepebağ walking circuit achievable in half a morning
- The museum is closed on Mondays; verify seasonal hours locally before visiting
- Photography is generally permitted in the furnished rooms and courtyard
- The mansion garden and exterior are pleasant even on days when the interior is between visiting groups
When to visit
Weekday mornings are the quietest. Arriving before 10:00 typically means the furnished rooms are uncrowded before any school or group visits arrive.
Accessibility
The mansion has two floors. The ground floor rooms and courtyard are accessible at street level without significant steps. The upper floor is reached by stairs without a lift; visitors with limited mobility can still view the ground-floor exhibits and the mansion exterior.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee?
Entry is free.
Why is the museum in this particular house?
Atatürk stayed at the Suphi Paşa Mansion during his visit to Adana in March 1923, and the building was preserved and later opened as a museum to commemorate that stay.
How long does a visit take?
30 to 45 minutes covers the main rooms and exhibits at a comfortable pace.