Lâtife Hanım Pavilion Memorial House

Lâtife Hanım Köşkü Anı Evi is a significant cultural asset located in the Karşıyaka district of İzmir, bearing witness to both the history of the Republic and the architectural heritage of Türkiye. The villa, built in the 1860s by the Uşakizade (Uşşaklı) family as a summer residence, exhibits characteristics of late Ottoman domestic architecture and additionally holds spiritual value as the place where Zübeyde Hanım spent her final days and passed away on 14 January 1923.

Lâtife Hanım Köşkü Anı Evi (District Governorate of Karşıyaka, Republic of Türkiye)

Historical Background

The villa was constructed in the mid-19th century by the Uşakizade family, one of İzmir’s longstanding households. The family’s daughter, Lâtife Hanım, shortly after the Turkish Army entered İzmir on 11 September 1922, invited Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to the Uşakizade Villa in Göztepe, where he was hosted for 16 days. This meeting evolved into an emotional bond and culminated in a simple marriage ceremony on 29 January 1923.

During the same period, the health of Atatürk’s mother, Zübeyde Hanım, deteriorated; upon medical advice, a suitable location with favorable air quality in İzmir was sought. At Atatürk’s request, his aide Salih Bozok searched for an appropriate residence, and Lâtife Hanım proposed offering her villa in Karşıyaka to Zübeyde Hanım. On 18 December 1922, Zübeyde Hanım was brought to the villa, where she was cared for closely by Lâtife Hanım; despite all efforts, she passed away in this villa on 14 January 1923. This event significantly strengthened the building’s historical importance.

Architectural Features

The Karşıyaka Lâtife Hanım Villa reflects the characteristic features of late Ottoman domestic architecture. Constructed as a two-story structure above a ground floor, the building is made of cut stone and features a flat roof. Access to the main entrance is via a staircase with iron railings on both sides. The entrance door is double-leaved and wooden. The interior preserves the period’s original woodwork; various rooms have been restored while maintaining the building’s historical integrity. The palm trees and cypresses in the garden lend a nostalgic identity to the structure; furthermore, the former pool and windmill that once stood here offer clues to the villa’s historical landscape.

Ownership, Conservation and Restoration Process

For many years, the villa was used in various ways: initially rented out as a private school, then transferred to private ownership. In 2005, the structure was expropriated by the Karşıyaka Municipality and restored with the support of the İzmir Governorship. Following restoration work completed in 2008, the villa was opened to the public as the Lâtife Hanım Köşkü Anı Evi.

The building has a total area of 2958 m², and its garden includes a tea garden, a cafeteria, and outdoor exhibition areas for visitors to rest and enjoy. During restoration, the villa’s original structure was preserved; its wooden interior fittings and stone façade details were repaired faithfully to their original state.

Museum Exhibits and Artifacts

Inside the villa, some personal belongings belonging to Lâtife Hanım and Atatürk were donated to the museum by the heirs of the villa. In addition, various objects from the period have been added to the collection through donations or purchases.

The room where Zübeyde Hanım passed away is now arranged as an memorial room. Among the museum’s most striking exhibits are the wax statues of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Lâtife Hanım, and Zübeyde Hanım, created by Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen and donated to the museum.

Two tall cypress trees planted in memory of Lâtife Hanım and Atatürk in the garden are among the symbolic elements of the villa.