Pembe Mansion

The Pink Mansion was purchased by İsmet İnönü from Mehmet Uzunzade on 10 September 1923 and converted into a country house. İnönü moved into the mansion with his family in 1925 and lived there for a total of 48 years until his death in 1973. During this time, the mansion served as both the İnönü family home and a centre for the shaping of the Republic.

Pembe Köşk (İnönü Vakfı)

Historical and Cultural Significance

The Pink Mansion is not only the residence of the İnönü family; it is a symbol of the early years of the Republic of Türkiye, its modernisation efforts and contemporary lifestyle. Beyond being an example of family life, the mansion has taken its place in Turkish history as a centre where revolutions took place.

Witness to the Republican Era

After Ankara became the capital, the Pink Mansion became one of the pioneers of social and cultural life. The mansion witnessed Türkiye's modernisation process; important meetings chaired by Atatürk, preparations for the revolution, and political decision-making processes took place in this space.

In this context, the mansion was not just a residence, but also a place where the mind of the state, the ideological conflicts of the era, and the steps of development took place.

Cultural and Social Firsts

The Pink Mansion pioneered many cultural events in Ankara:

• On 22 February 1927, Ankara's first ball was held here.
• The first concerts, art exhibitions, and scientific meetings were held in this mansion.
• Sporting events such as horseback riding and hurdle jumping competitions were organised in its garden.
• Experiments on cultivating plant and tree species suitable for Ankara's climate were also conducted in the mansion's garden.

In this sense, the Pink Mansion was not only a politician's residence but also a cultural and lifestyle centre for a family that was closely connected to art, science, nature and sports.

İnönü's Personal Interests

İsmet Paşa had a deep interest in the fine arts, especially painting, sculpture and polyphonic music. He took cello lessons at a young age, pioneered the establishment of conservatories, and made a point of attending theatre, opera, and concerts.

He was also known for his expertise in horse riding, nature, and agriculture, particularly pine trees. His personal library of 8,000 volumes is an important collection reflecting his passion for reading.

Historical Meetings and Friendship with Atatürk

The Pink Mansion was a house that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk frequently visited. Atatürk would call İnönü in the evening to inform him that he was coming to the mansion, and he would sometimes organise dinner parties with groups of 10-20 people at this house. The meals were sometimes prepared at home and sometimes brought by Atatürk.

During these meetings, important issues of the time were discussed, and the foundations of the Republican reforms were laid at these tables. In particular, the dining room, which was arranged with Atatürk's contributions, is one of the most striking sections of the mansion.

Current Use

The Pink Mansion, one of Ankara's oldest residential buildings, is an important heritage site both architecturally and culturally. Today, the Pink Mansion is protected by the İnönü Foundation and is occasionally opened to the public through exhibitions, commemorative programmes, and special tours.