GPS : 0°58'23.0"N 28°46'58.0"E / 40.973056, 28.782778
PHOTOGRAPHS ALBUM
A settlement on the coast of the Marmara Sea between Yeşilköy and Küçükçekmece, Florya is known to be a resort for hunters in the 19. Century. Florya, which gained importance with Atatürk’s interest, has transformed gradually to a summer resting centre.
According to historical documents, Florya coast was full of nice villages in 17th century within its border to Yeşilköy, known as Ayastefanos at the time. Kalatarya district with its oftenly visited church and holy spring and also Imperial Filurya Garden was close to the area. It’s understood from the phrase seen in 18th century documents as "Filoriye garden with its fresh water and Sultan’s palace inside..." there was an Otoman settlement in the area.
Florya and its environs were mostly fishing areas in 19th century and previously. In the late Ottoman Empire urban development began there along with the construction of railway lines and it gained extra importance with the interest of Atatürk in the early Republican period. An area of 230 hectares were afforested and Florya became a summer resort in time. İstanbul Municipality organized a competition for a mansion project in 1935 which planned to have been built in Florya coast where Atatürk used to go for resting. It’s thought to be helpful for his recovery to stay there.
The awarded project designed by architect Seyfi Arkan was in Bauhaus style that was common in European architecture of the period. The building complex designed as a relaxing place consists of Atatürk Mansion, General Secretariat Building and Aides’ Building. There was also the White, Blue and Red pavilions then, but they don’t exist now. The construction was finished in August 14, 1935. The mansion was constructed over the columns stuck to the sea base and was connected to the land with a bridge.
In the mansion opened to visitors on August 14, 1935, Atatürk lived for a long period over the June and July in 1936, used the mansion for political and scientific meetings and hosted certain guests like Edward VIII, the king of Great Britain and Madame Simpson. Atatürk didn’t use the mansion just for resting but occasionally managed the affairs of state while he was in İstanbul, held political and scientific conferences and hosted many important guests there among whom were King Edward III of England and Mrs. Simpson. He stayed there for the last time in May 28, 1938.
During the period he stayed at Dolmabahçe Palace, Atatürk came to the mansion by boat and enjoyed swimming surrounded by local people. He used the mansion for the last three years of his life as a summer office as well as for recreation. In 1936, he stayed from June 6 until July 28 at the mansion. His last stay was on May 28, 1938, about six months before his death.
After his death it was used as a Presidential summer residence by İsmet İnönü, Celal Bayar, Cemal Gürsel, Cevdet Sunay, Fahri Korutürk and Kenan Evren.
This group of structures was transferred to the Department of National Palaces under the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) by the Presidency of the Republic on September 16, 1988. After the completion of its restoration, decorated with the furniture of that period suiting the style of the mansion which was designed with a modern understanding in its period the mansion was made an Atatürk Museum and a permanent photograph exhibition named "Atatürk is in Istanbul" was formed in it.
Some of the buildings of Yaverlik and General Secretariat constructed behind the Atatürk mansion could not survive till today and the rest were restored to become TGNA social facilities. In the empty place between these buildings a structure serving as a cafe and a restaurant was annexed.
The Presidency assigned its management to TBMM, Head Department of National Palaces in September 16, 1988 and it was opened to public as "Atatürk Museum" at 1993 after being restored. It was erected on steel piles driven into the sea bottom and linked to the mainland by a bridge of 90 meters in length. The one-storeyed building has a modest facade design and seems like a floating boat.
ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESING
The tower situated on the north entrance facade is in the geometrical and aesthetic form of modern architecture. The perpendicular part to the shore consists of service and staff rooms, bathrooms and toilets. Atatürk’s study room, bathroom and bedroom are on its east side. The walnut and bird’s eye veneered bookcase, tape player in Artdeco style, furnitures like the armchair with spring balance function and lighting fittings are compatible with mansion’s modest, modern and original architectural design.
Designed in the Bauhaus style by architect Seyfi Arkan, who was given the commission in 1935 by the municipality of Istanbul, the mansion was completed on August 14 the same year, and was gifted to Atatürk.
The building is constructed on steel piles driven into the seabed and is connected to the sandy beach about 70 m (230 ft) away with a wooden pier. The L-shaped, one-floor mansion consists of a reception hall, a reading room, bedrooms and bathroom. There are also service and staff rooms at the complex. The total area covered by the mansion including the pier is 602 m2 (6,480 sq ft).
It was erected on steel piles driven into the sea bottom and linked to the mainland by a bridge of 90 meters in length. The one-storeyed building has a modest facade design and seems like a floating boat. The tower situated on the north entrance facade is in the geometrical and aesthetic form of modern architecture.
The perpendicular part to the shore consists of service and staff rooms, bathrooms and toilets. Atatürk’s study room, bathroom and bedroom are on its east side. The walnut and bird’s eye veneered bookcase, tape player in Artdeco style, furnitures like the armchair with spring balance function and lighting fittings are compatible with mansion’s modest, modern and original architectural design.
A grove was created in the yard of the ruined Agios Stefanos Monastery as the garden for the mansion on Atatürk's taking possession. This grove is called "Florya Atatürk Grove" (Turkish: Florya Atatürk Korusu) and is today a public park. The mansion is considered an example of the "Turkish Early Republican architecture".
Museum
Due to the encroaching urban development and the consequent pollution of the sea at the site, the mansion fell into disuse as an official residence. On September 6, 1988, the building was handed over to the National Palaces Department of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. It was then renovated and opened in 1993 to the public as a museum.
A section of the mansion is reserved as a social facility for members of parliament. The museum exhibits furniture, tableware, personal belongings including swimwear, as well as a collection of Atatürk's photographs taken at the site.
LOCATION SATELLITE MAP
WEB SITE : Department of National Palaces / Florya Atatürk Marine Mansion
MORE INFO & CONTACT
E-Mail : millisaraylar@tbmm.gov.tr
Phone : +90 212 236 9000
Fax : +90 212 259 3292
These scripts and photographs are registered under © Copyright 2017, respected writers and photographers from the internet. All Rights Reserved.
