Akşehir Western Front Headquarters Museum

The Akşehir Western Front Headquarters Museum is the former headquarters building used by the Western Front Command during Türkiye’s War of National Liberation, now restored and operated as a museum. The building, located in the Akşehir district of Konya, was constructed in 1904–1905 by the then Mayor Hacı Mustafa Efendi (Hacı Bostan Bey) as the municipal building. It holds historical significance as the site where preparations and planning for the Great Offensive were conducted and key decisions were made. The museum was opened to the public on 5 July 1966 under the name “Atatürk and Ethnography Museum” and adopted its current name, “Akşehir Western Front Headquarters Museum,” following renovations and reorganization in 1981.

Akşehir Western Front Headquarters Museum (Akşehir Municipality)

History

The building began serving as the Western Front Headquarters on 18 November 1921 and continued in this function until 24 August 1922. Following the Battle of Sakarya, when enemy forces positioned themselves east of the Afyon-Eskişehir line, the headquarters was relocated from Alagöz Village to Akşehir. During this nine-and-a-half-month period, all preparations and planning for the Great Offensive were directed from this building. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk regularly visited Akşehir to oversee and guide these operations. After the launch of the Great Offensive, the headquarters was moved to Şuhut in Afyon. The building was transferred to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1965 for conversion into a museum. After restoration and reorganization, it opened to the public on 5 July 1966. Restoration and exhibition updates were carried out in 1981, 1988–1995, and 2001.

Architectural Features

The building is two-storied. The ground floor serves as the administrative section, while the upper floor contains exhibition halls and a lounge area opening into eight rooms. The structure is built on a stone foundation with brick and bagdadi materials. Above the entrance, on a stone panel, are inscribed Atatürk’s statements regarding his presence at the Western Front Headquarters on 20 August 1922 and his order for the Great Offensive.

Exhibits and Collections

• Central Hall: Photographs of Atatürk and İsmet İnönü taken in Akşehir; medals and documents of veterans from Akşehir; uniforms of officers from the First World War.
• Offensive Room: Atatürk’s office where the decision for the Great Offensive was made; original furnishings, war plans, documents, and the Turkish and Ottoman Turkish texts of the offensive order.
• İsmet İnönü Room: The office of İsmet İnönü, Commander of the Western Front Headquarters; his biography, a wax statue, and his uniform.
• Asım Gündüz Room: The office of Chief of Staff Asım Gündüz.
• Aides Room: Biographies of headquarters officers and epitaphs of Akşehir martyrs of the War of National Liberation.
• Atatürk Rooms: Documents from the headquarters, excerpts from Nutuk, photographs, personal belongings and weapons from Atatürk’s presidency period.
• Weapons Room: Biography of Hacı Bekir Sümer, gift weapons, various official documents, and swords.

Akşehir Western Front Headquarters Museum (Culture Portal)

Significance and Preservation

The Akşehir Western Front Headquarters Museum holds historical and cultural importance as the site where the War of National Liberation was planned and directed. Restoration and exhibition efforts have been carried out in a manner that preserves the building’s historical integrity.

Visit Information and Cultural Activities

The Akşehir Western Front Headquarters Museum operates publicly under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Admission is generally free, and throughout the year, various cultural events, exhibitions, and educational programs are organized.