Mustafa Kemal Atatürk visited Yalova first in 1927. He went there in summer months for the local thermal facilities. During his visits, he stayed in a wooden pavilion in Baltacı Farm next to the thermal bath, which was built in the 19th century by Sultan Abdülhamid II (reigned 1876–1909).[1][2]
Atatürk commissioned the construction of a mansion for himself in Millet Farm (Millet Çiftliği). Designed by the architect Sedat Hakkı EldemIt, it was completed in 1929. The mansion was initially called Millet Farm Mansion ("Millet" is the Turkish word for "Nation") after the farm's name in which it was built.[3]
The originally wooden mansion was renovated later. The two-story building has three VIP lounges and eleven rooms. It is equipped with furnitures brought from Dolmabahçe Palace.[2][4]
Yalova Atatürk Mansion, originally a private property of Atatürk, was transferred to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. After renovation works and fitting with pictures and personal belongings of Atatürk, the mansion was converted into a historical house museum, and opened to public in 1981.[2][3]
