Atatürk Museum, Thessaloniki

The Atatürk Museum marks the birthplace of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, who was born here in 1881. The building itself is a three-story residence with an inner courtyard, constructed before 1870, reflecting the domestic architecture of late Ottoman Thessaloniki. In 1935, the Thessaloniki City Council transferred ownership of the house to the Turkish state, which converted it into a museum dedicated to Atatürk’s early life and legacy. The building underwent a major restoration in 1981, when it was repainted in its original pink color.

Visitors enter a carefully arranged interior that recreates the atmosphere of a late 19th-century household. On the first floor, rooms include a reception area, sitting room, kitchen, and a room traditionally identified as Atatürk’s mother’s bedroom. Much of the furniture displayed is original or period-appropriate, helping to convey the domestic setting in which Atatürk spent his early years.

The second floor contains the room where Atatürk was born, preserved as the focal point of the museum. Nearby rooms display a selection of personal belongings, including formal clothing, smoking accessories, household utensils, cups, and everyday objects that illustrate both private life and social customs of the era. The walls throughout the museum are lined with photographs and documents tracing Atatürk’s education, military career, and later public life. Outside, the inner courtyard provides a quiet pause in the visit. A pomegranate tree planted by Atatürk’s father still stands here.