Katerina Av Köşkü

Katerina Hunting Lodge is a historical structure located in the northwestern part of Sarıkamış district, in Kars province of Türkiye, surrounded by pine forest forests. It was constructed at the end of the 19th century and commissioned by Emperor Nicholas II of Russia in 1896. Designed for use during the winter months, the lodge served as a hunting retreat during the period when Sarıkamış was under Russian occupation. Today, it is officially registered as a protected immovable cultural heritage and is situated on land allocated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

^{Katerina Hunting Lodge. (}Türkiye Culture Portal⁾

Following the 93 War (1877–1878 Russo-Turkish War), the Treaty of Berlin placed Sarıkamış under Russian control for approximately 40 years. The Katerina Hunting Lodge, constructed during this period, became part of the broader Russian civil and military infrastructure in the region. Built for hunting and winter accommodation, the structure remained under military administration for many years and was used by the Sarıkamış Brigade Command until 1994. It was subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Finance Treasury.

The lodge is oriented east-west and built in the Baltic architectural style. The rectangular-plan structure consists of three main sections. A columned main entrance is located on the northern facade. The central part of this entrance is constructed from cut stone, while the sections facing north and south are made of semi-oval wooden elements. The side wings are two stories high, including a basement. The foundations are built of stone, while the facade walls feature wooden planks arranged in a tongue-and-groove system using pine timber. The wooden structure is assembled without nails, using interlocking joinery techniques. The exterior features triangular pediment windows; a total of eight large and four small windows are positioned on the north and south facades, with four windows on each side wall. The roof, particularly over the columned entrance section, is designed in a broken-pitch form.

^{Katerina Hunting Lodge. (}AA⁾

The primary construction material of the building is pine wood, with the combined use of stone and wood specifically designed to adapt to the cold climate. The characteristic Baltic technique of stacked stone and interlocking timber is employed here. The nail-free construction method provides both lightness and flexibility to the structure.

The Katerina Hunting Lodge was officially registered as a protected immovable cultural heritage by the Erzurum Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage under Decision No. 1635 dated 26.03.2010. Restoration and landscape planning projects for the site have been approved. Around-the-clock security is provided for the area surrounding the lodge, and due to its wooden construction, the building requires specialized climate control and maintenance.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a project is underway to restore the Katerina Hunting Lodge and convert it into a boutique hotel for tourism purposes. Restoration works are being carried out in cooperation with the Kars Provincial Directorate and relevant public institutions, with the project scope expanded. Due to the lodge’s small size, plans also include constructing a new annex building with a capacity of 100 beds adjacent to the site. This will enhance the region’s tourist appeal throughout all four seasons, not just during winter. The Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications has provided support for the project’s financing and implementation, with preparations targeting completion by spring 2024 to proceed with public tender.

^{Katerina Hunting Lodge. (}AA⁾

Although the Katerina Hunting Lodge is not currently operating as an active tourist facility pending completion of its restoration, it attracts significant interest from both domestic and international tourists visiting Sarıkamış. Its architectural details make it an appealing photographic and cultural destination for photographers, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers.

Sarıkamış Tourism Association (SATURDER) anticipates that, with the lodge’s integration into tourism, interest from Russian tourists will increase significantly, transforming Sarıkamış into a year-round tourist attraction.