“Turkish Republic Celebrates 100 Years: Exploring the Legacy of Atatürk in Istanbul”
Istanbul, Turkey – As you walk through the streets of Istanbul, you can’t help but encounter the hero of Turkey’s independence, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, at every turn. Whether it’s his statue in the square, his portrait on a wall elsewhere, his name on the city map, or a library named after him, Atatürk’s presence is felt everywhere. However, Atatürk was not born here. The future first president of Turkey was born in 1881 in Thessaloniki, then part of the Ottoman Empire and now Greece, and he arrived in Constantinople as an eighteen-year-old young man.
Turks celebrate their national holiday on October 29th, just after the Czech Republic. This year, it falls on a Sunday, but Turkish authorities, government, mayors, cultural institutions, and others have been preparing for it for more than a year.
This year marks the centenary of the founding of the Turkish Republic. In addition to the hundreds of events planned for Sunday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hidden the opening of many major projects as part of the ”Turkish Century” initiative.
The first and most attractive stop on a tour of Atatürk’s footsteps is the Pera Palace Hotel. This grand building with red flags and marquees stands just a few steps from the bustling Istiklal Avenue and still bears the old name of its neighborhood. Today’s Beyoglu was once called “Little Europe,” thanks in part to the Pera Palace Hotel.
The Art Nouveau hotel was built before the end of the 19th century for the clientele who arrived in Istanbul on the Orient Express. It provided proper service, such as running water, which was found here for the first time. The hotel still has the first electric elevator in Istanbul, dating back to 1892.
However, it is now just a prop, and guests must use the stairs to reach their rooms. It is said that Alfred Hitchcock, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Greta Garbo, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Iranian Shah Reza Pahlavi all stayed here.
One of the luxurious suites here is particularly famous. Room 101 was occupied by Atatürk during his visits to Istanbul, and as the hotel owner proudly claims, he made significant decisions regarding the state here. This small museum is filled with his photographs, everyday objects, period newspapers, including Cumhuriyet, which celebrated its 99th anniversary this year, and gifts from foreign visitors.
Official letters hang on the walls, such as the proposal from Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos to award Atatürk the Nobel Peace Prize or a letter from the Turkish president about Turkish-Greek friendship. However, the most interesting are Atatürk’s personal notes, such as the Latin script for the Turkish language, which until then had used Arabic script. He practiced the new form of the language with the word “güzel,” meaning beautiful. Thus, Atatürk’s figure is present in the reception room.
While the luxury hotel may not be welcoming to budget tourists, and you may not be able to afford a coffee on the terrace of Pera, Atatürk’s museum is accessible for free every day at regular intervals. You can wait in the lobby before the tour and admire the noble decoration of the hotel.
However, fans of Turkish series on Netflix alreadyTitle: Celebrating 100 Years of Turkey: Exploring the Legacy of Atatürk in Istanbul
Subtitle: From Pera Palace to Dolmabahçe Palace, Atatürk’s Footprints Are Everywhere
Date: October 29, 2023
Istanbul, Turkey – As Turkey celebrates its national holiday on October 29th, the country is commemorating a significant milestone this year – the centenary of the founding of the Turkish Republic. The streets of Istanbul are adorned with statues, portraits, and tributes to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding father of modern Turkey.
One of the most captivating stops on a journey through Atatürk’s legacy is the iconic Pera Palace. Located just steps away from the bustling Istiklal Caddesi boulevard, this grand building with its red flags and marques has witnessed the city’s transformation. Built in the late 19th century to cater to the clientele of the Orient Express, the Pera Palace Hotel offered luxurious amenities such as running water, making it a popular choice for distinguished guests. Today, the hotel stands as a relic of the past, with its historic charm preserved in every corner. It has hosted renowned figures such as Alfred Hitchcock, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Greta Garbo, Queen Elizabeth II, and the last Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi.
Room 101, in particular, holds special significance as it was where Atatürk stayed during his visits to Istanbul. The room has been transformed into a museum, filled with photographs, personal belongings, period newspapers, and gifts from foreign dignitaries. Official letters, including a proposal from Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos to award Atatürk the Nobel Peace Prize, are also on display. Visitors can immerse themselves in the history and ambiance of the era, free of charge.
While the Pera Palace Hotel may be familiar to fans of Turkish TV series on Netflix, it plays a central role in the popular show “Plnoc v hotelu Pera Palace” (North at the Pera Palace Hotel). The series takes viewers on a time-traveling adventure, entwining a love story with a plot against Atatürk. The captivating storyline serves as a reminder of the rich history surrounding the founding of the Turkish Republic.
For those seeking a deeper understanding of Atatürk’s life, a visit to his former residences is a must. The Atatürk Museum in the Ihlamur neighborhood offers a glimpse into his personal life during the Turkish War of Independence. The small yellow house, nestled between towering concrete structures, showcases uniforms, personal items, and photographs from that period, evoking a sense of melancholy.
Another significant location associated with Atatürk is the Istanbul Military Museum, where he lived and studied as a young cadet. The museum exhibits weapons, military equipment, and artifacts, including a chain that once blocked the Golden Horn to protect Constantinople from the conquest of Mehmed the Conqueror in 1453.
Dolmabahçe Palace, located in the BeşTitle: Celebrating 100 Years of Turkey: Exploring the Legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Subtitle: Istanbul’s Landmarks Pay Tribute to the Founding Father of Modern Turkey
Date: October 29, 2023
Istanbul, Turkey – As Turkey celebrates its national holiday on October 29th, the presence of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding father of modern Turkey, can be felt at every turn in Istanbul. Whether it’s his statue in the city square, his portrait adorning walls across the city, or the numerous landmarks named after him, Atatürk’s legacy is deeply ingrained in the fabric of Istanbul.
This year marks the centennial anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, and the country has been preparing for this milestone for more than a year. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has spearheaded the “Turkey’s Centennial” initiative, which includes a series of events and projects aimed at commemorating the nation’s history and achievements.
One of the most captivating stops on a journey through Atatürk’s footsteps is the Pera Palace Hotel. Located just steps away from the bustling Istiklal Avenue, this grand building with its red flags and marques still bears the old name of its neighborhood. Known as “Little Europe,” the district of Beyoglu, where the Pera Palace Hotel stands, was a popular destination for the clientele of the Orient Express in the late 19th century.
The hotel, which was built to cater to the needs of the discerning travelers, boasted modern amenities such as running water, making it a sought-after destination. The Pera Palace Hotel is also home to the first electric elevator in Istanbul, dating back to 1892. Over the years, the hotel has hosted illustrious guests, including Alfred Hitchcock, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Greta Garbo, Queen Elizabeth II, and the last Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi.
One of the hotel’s most famous rooms is Room 101, where Atatürk stayed during his visits to Istanbul. It is said that he made significant decisions regarding the state’s affairs within these walls. Today, the room has been transformed into a small museum, filled with photographs, personal belongings, period newspapers, including the Cumhuriyet, which celebrated its 99th anniversary this year, and gifts from foreign dignitaries.
While the luxurious Pera Palace Hotel may not be accessible to all tourists due to its high prices, Atatürk’s museum is open to the public free of charge at regular intervals. Visitors can wait in the lobby, marveling at the hotel’s noble decor, before embarking on a journey through history.
For fans of Turkish TV series on Netflix, Room 101 and the entire hotel are already familiar. The Pera Palace Hotel plays a central role in the series “Midnight at the Pera Palace,” where the protagonist, Esra, finds herself entangled in a conspiracy against Atatürk. Alongside the dashing officer Halit, she must stop the scheming British agents to save not only Mustafa Kemal but also the future of Turkey itself.
Although the romantic storyline may not reach the heights of Agatha Christie’s novel “Murder on the Orient Express,” which she is rumored to have written at the Pera Palace, it serves as a reminder of the country’s rich history. Audiences eagerly await the next season of the series. By the way, just across the street, Ukrainian refugees who fled the war have been demonstrating every afternoon for over a year. Supporting them symbolically after the visit to the Pera Palace could be a meaningful gesture.
Exploring the footsteps of Turkey’s greatest leader can be accomplished without leaving the European side of Istanbul. With the exception of two stops, all the mentioned landmarks are located in the modern district of the Golden Horn. The official Atatürk Museum in the Eyüp neighborhood can be reached by a pleasant short walk from Taksim Square, but it is more convenient to take the metro to Osmanbey station and walk from there. Just be careful not to miss your destination.
The museum is housed in a small yellow house, sandwiched between newer concrete buildings on both sides. It was here that Mustafa Kemal lived with his mother Zübeyde and sister Makbule during the Turkish War of Independence. The museum, although small, is packed with artifacts, including uniforms, golden teeth, and a painting depicting Turks mourning Atatürk’s funeral. The profound sadness captured in the photographs is still palpable today.
On the way back to Taksim Square, another place closely associated with Turkey’s first president awaits: the Istanbul Military Museum, where Atatürk lived and studied as a young cadet. In addition to weapons, medals, and modern firearms, the museum displays a rare artifact - the chain that once blocked the Golden Horn to prevent the conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed II. Despite their efforts, the young ruler famously captured the city in 1453.
Atatürk’s first Istanbul residence, a modest row house in the Akaretler neighborhood of Beşiktaş, has also been transformed into a museum. By a twist of fate, his final residence was just two streets away, the majestic Dolmabahçe Palace. After the Hagia Sophia, it is a must-visit for every first-time visitor to Istanbul. The palace’s dozens of rooms, dining halls, corridors, and bathrooms showcase an abundance of gold and precious stones, evoking a fairytale-like atmosphere.
As Turkey celebrates 100 years of its republic, exploring the landmarks associated with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk offers a glimpse into the country’s rich history. From the grandeur of the Pera Palace Hotel to the modest homes where Atatürk lived, these sites pay tribute to the visionary leader who shaped modern Turkey.
How did Atatürk’s efforts to reform the Turkish language by adopting the Latin script shape the nation
Personal belongings, and official correspondence of Atatürk. Visitors can gain insight into his life and his contributions to the Turkish Republic. The museum also showcases Atatürk’s personal notes, including his efforts to reform the Turkish language by adopting the Latin script. These artifacts provide a glimpse into Atatürk’s vision and his enduring impact on the nation.
While the Pera Palace may be out of reach for some budget travelers, the Atatürk museum is open to the public free of charge with scheduled viewing times. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich history and ambiance of the hotel’s lobby before embarking on the tour.
The celebration of Turkey’s centenary is not limited to the Pera Palace. Throughout Istanbul, various events and initiatives have been organized to commemorate this significant milestone. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has unveiled major projects as part of the “Turkish Century” initiative, adding to the festive atmosphere in the city.
One highlighted destination is the Dolmabahçe Palace, which served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and later the residence of Atatürk during his visits to Istanbul. The palace exhibits grand architectural features, opulent interiors, and a vast collection of artwork and artifacts. Visitors can experience the grandeur and historical significance of this iconic landmark.
As Turkey looks back on a hundred years of achievements and progress, the legacy of Atatürk continues to shape the nation’s identity. His vision of a modern, secular, and democratic Turkey is evident in the vibrant streets of Istanbul. Atatürk’s influence can be felt in the cultural institutions, government buildings, and the daily lives of the Turkish people.
Whether it is through the captivating stories of the Pera Palace or the grandeur of the Dolmabahçe Palace, exploring Atatürk’s legacy in Istanbul provides a deep understanding of Turkey’s history and the enduring impact of its founding father. As the country celebrates its 100th year, it is a moment to reflect on the journey so far and the future that lies ahead.
