Havza Ataturk House 🇹🇷

Step into history at the Havza Atatürk's House Museum, situated in the Havza district of Samsun Province, Turkey. Originally known as the Mesudiye Hotel, this historic two-story brick building served as the very first headquarters of the Turkish War of Independence. Between May 25 and June 13, 1919, Mustafa Kemal Pasha stationed his army headquarters here, igniting a national consciousness that shaped modern Turkey.

Opened as a museum in 2002, the venue invites you to explore nine restored rooms featuring original wooden floors and ceilings. You can step inside the preserved Gazi Room, which served as Pasha's private study, and inspect fascinating exhibits distributed across dedicated regional rooms named Havza, Amasya, Erzurum, Sivas, and Ankara. Inside, you will discover 79 unique ethnographic works, including period weapons, books, historical photos of local resistance leaders, and documentation of regional conflicts.

Marvel at notable artifacts like the telegraph manuscript used to dispatch the famous Havza Circular, a handwritten twelve-question inquiry list, and the first official presidential seal of the Republic of Turkey. Visiting this powerful landmark offers you a deeply authentic glimpse into the foundational spark of the nation's struggle for independence.

What to see at Havza Ataturk House

• The preserved Gazi Room, which served as Mustafa Kemal Pasha's original study
• Dedicated historical rooms named after Havza, Amasya, Erzurum, Sivas, and Ankara
• The telegraph manuscript used to send the historic Havza Circular
• The first official presidential seal of the Republic of Turkey

Visiting tips

Plan your visit to fit the museum's daily operating schedule, which runs from 9:00 to 17:00 in winter and extends until 18:00 during summer months.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Summer

How to get there & what’s nearby

Havza Ataturk House is easy to reach on Samsun’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Statue of Honor and SS Bandırma. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Samsun travel guide.