Atatürk Pavilion

Overview

The Atatürk Pavilion is a white summer house on the Soğuksu hills above Trabzon. Konstantin Kabayanidis, a merchant, built it with a view over the city. Later, it became the house of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Trabzon. In June 1937, he spent two nights here. On the night of June 11, he decided to give all his property to the nation. Since 1943, the house has been a museum, and the city of Trabzon runs it.

Where the Atatürk Pavilion stands

The pavilion sits on Ata Caddesi in Soğuksu, about 7 km (4 miles) southwest of the city center. Because it stands on the Soğuksu ridges, the house looks out over the city below.

Quick facts

• Good for: Atatürk's story, a period house, a flower garden
• Best combined with: the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, Boztepe

History of the Atatürk Pavilion

A summer house on the Soğuksu hills

Kabayanidis built the house as a summer home on the ridge. Its style borrows from European and Renaissance buildings, with bold European ornaments. Its building date is uncertain: it is placed in the early 19th century or in 1913. After the Republic was declared, the house passed to the Special Provincial Administration of Trabzon.

A gift to Atatürk

On September 15, 1924, Atatürk reached Trabzon for his first visit. In the afternoon, he came up to the house on the hill. Then, on September 17, he left for Rize. Visit, the city bought the house and gave it to him as a gift. So a delegation from Trabzon traveled to Ankara and handed him its deed and keys. In November 1930, he came back to the house on his second visit.

The night of June 11, 1937

His third and last visit began on June 10, 1937, and this time he stayed two nights. On the night of June 11, he decided to give all his property to the Turkish nation. "Property and possessions weigh on me," he said. "I will feel relief when I give them to my nation." Then, on the morning of June 12, he returned to Istanbul.

A museum since 1943

After Atatürk's death in 1938, the city chose to open his house to the public. So, in 1943, the building became a museum of his belongings and photographs. Much later, a renovation closed it for about a year. Finally, it opened its doors again on October 29, 2023.

Inside the Atatürk Pavilion

The reception rooms

At the entrance, the full text of the speech that Atatürk gave on his first visit to Trabzon hangs on the wall. To the right, a small room shows photographs from his life and from his visits to the city. Next comes a room of armchairs and sofas where he rested. On one of them, a plate reads that here Atatürk signed the paper that gave his property to the people. Beyond it, another room is furnished as his dining room. Along with these, the ground floor holds a sitting room and a guest room.

The upper floor

Upstairs, you see his bedroom, his bathroom and his study. On the same floor, there are rooms for his aides, along with a waiting room and a meeting room. Outside, a large flower garden wraps around the house, so take a slow walk there before you leave.

Visiting the Atatürk Pavilion

How to visit the Atatürk Pavilion

The pavilion is a ticketed museum run by the Metropolitan Municipality of Trabzon. Since it stands on the hill at Soğuksu, you reach it by road from the center. Inside, stairs lead between the floors. Ask us to confirm the hours; we pair the Atatürk Pavilion with the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon.

Before you go

On our city tour, you start at the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon by the sea. Next, you drive up to Soğuksu for the pavilion. You end the morning with tea on Boztepe, Trabzon, above the city and the sea. For Sumela on another day, see our Sumela Monastery tour.

Updated: October 26, 2026.

Seeing the Atatürk Pavilion with Us

Would you like to stand in the room where Atatürk made his gift to the nation? Our Trabzon city tour brings you to the Atatürk Pavilion between the Hagia Sophia and Boztepe. Hagia Sophia, the pavilion and Boztepe make one morning in Trabzon; give us yours.