Kasr-ı Hümayun (İzmit Palace)

Kasr-ı Hümayun is a historical structure located in the İzmit district of Kocaeli, dating back to the Ottoman period. Today, it serves as the İzmit Palace Museum. The building attracts attention through its architectural features, historical function, and usage during the Republican era.

Construction of Kasr-ı Hümayun began in 1861 under the orders of Sultan Abdülaziz and was completed in 1865. The palace was built to serve as a residence for Sultan Abdülaziz during his domestic travels. The architect of the building is known to be Garabet Amira Balyan.

Kasr-ı Hümayun was constructed as a two-story building. The ground floor contains the reception hall, guest rooms, and service areas, while the upper floor houses the sultan’s private quarters and other living spaces. The interior spaces feature period-appropriate woodwork, decorations, and furniture that draw attention. The building is an example of civil architecture exhibiting Neoclassical architectural influences.

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Kasr-ı Hümayun also holds historical significance for the Republican era. On 16 January 1923, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk held a press conference here with local and foreign journalists. During this meeting, important statements were made regarding the fundamental principles of the upcoming Republican regime. For this reason, the building is also referred to as the “palace where the foundations of the Republic were laid.”

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Following various restoration efforts, Kasr-ı Hümayun was opened to the public as a museum. Today, it functions as the İzmit Palace Museum. The museum displays artifacts related to the palace’s history, items from the Ottoman period, and documents concerning Atatürk’s press conference.