Visitors flock to Atatürk's birthplace in Thessaloniki
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, was born and lived in this house in Thessaloniki until he was seven years old. This house is a popular destination for those vacationing in Greece and for special tour groups from Türkiye.
In 1933, on the occasion of the anniversary of Türkiye's founding, the Thessaloniki Municipality decided to purchase the house and gift it to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The key to the house was handed over to the Turkish Consulate General in Thessaloniki in 1937.
The house opened its doors as a museum in 1953 and underwent extensive restoration in 2012, reaching its current state. Welcoming visitors from Türkiye and around the world, it is a must-visit museum, especially for Turks vacationing in Greece. Every day, hundreds of people visit the house on special tours from Türkiye.
Located next to the Turkish Consulate General in Thessaloniki, the house’s façade features a marble plaque that reads, "Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the renovator of the Turkish Republic and supporter of the Balkan Union, was born here," which was placed on October 29, 1923, the 10th anniversary of the Turkish Republic’s founding.
In the courtyard, visitors are greeted by a tree planted by Ali Rıza Efendi, under which Atatürk played as a child, and a panel detailing the house’s history.
The Room Where Atatürk Was Born
The three-story building has an "Atatürk and Children's Room" on the ground floor. Models showing the house’s old exhibition layout are displayed in the upstairs halls. The first floor features the "Thessaloniki Room" and the "Monastir Room," while the second floor includes the "Istanbul Room" and the "Ankara Room," with panels detailing Atatürk’s life and the cities he lived in. The "Ankara Room" also has a statue of Atatürk seated in a chair from his presidency.
Visitors closely examine panels, photographs, personal belongings, and clothing that narrate Atatürk’s life. The house, particularly the room where Atatürk was born, and the statues of Atatürk and his mother Zübeyde Hanım, often bring visitors to tears, especially upon seeing the inscription, "Atatürk opened his eyes to the world in this room and closed them in Istanbul."
After completing their tour, guests often visit nearby shops selling memorabilia reminiscent of the Atatürk House and enjoy a cup of Turkish tea while reflecting on their visit.
The historic house, which experiences significant visitor traffic, is open to the public from 10:00 to 17:00 every day except Monday.
Photo: AA
