The Republic Museum, located in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) building in central Ankara, preserves an important historical and cultural heritage related to the founding of the Republic of Türkiye. The museum provides a comprehensive insight into the early years of the Republic through both its architecture and collections, offering visitors a chance to explore the principles of the Republic and the lives of its founders.

^{Interior of the Museum (Kültür Portalı)}

History and Importance of the Building

The Republic Museum is located in the Turkish Grand National Assembly Building, which plays a significant role in the history of the Republic of Türkiye. Construction of this building began in 1920 and was completed in 1924, hosting the first parliamentary session. The building hosted the parliamentary activities of the early years of the Republic of Türkiye, and it was here that Türkiye's most important laws were passed. It was also the venue where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Türkiye, and his comrades-in-arms guided the political and social transformation of the era.

In 1981, this historic building began to be used as the Republic Museum. The building serves as a symbol of the social and political changes that took place with the proclamation of the Republic, providing information about the policies of the era while also offering visitors an environment that explains the fundamental principles of the Republic. The museum functions as an important cultural heritage site, not merely as a physical structure, but as a space that bears the deep imprints of the political history of the Republic of Türkiye and preserves the memories of its founders.

The building, which now serves as the Republic Museum, was designed and constructed in 1923 by Vedat Tek, one of the leading architects of the time, as the Republican People's Party Hall. However, due to the inadequacy of the first Turkish Grand National Assembly building, the function of this building was changed and it was redesigned as a parliament building and officially opened on October 18, 1924. Built on a cut stone basement with two floors, the structure bears the distinctive features of the First National Architecture Movement in terms of its architectural characteristics. The arched openings in the windows, the tile panels decorating the facades, the wide eaves, and the wooden ceilings with hand-painted ornamentation bearing Ottoman and Seljuk influences are among the characteristic examples of this style. The building served as the Second Turkish Grand National Assembly for 36 years until May 27, 1960, witnessing numerous historical developments during this period, including the transition to a multi-party political system, the implementation of Atatürk's principles and reforms, the adoption of modern laws, and the signing of international agreements.

After moving to the new parliament building in 1961, this building was allocated to the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) and served as the CENTO Headquarters between 1961 and 1979. Following the dissolution of CENTO, the building was transferred to the Ministry of Culture in the same year, with the front section being converted into the Republic Museum and the rear section into the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums service building. The museum opened to visitors on October 30, 1981, following the completion of restoration work. The tour route begins in the Second Grand National Assembly Hall, located to the left of the entrance, where the history of the building is explained, and continues to the Atatürk Principles and Revolutions Hall. In this section, political and social transformations, as well as advances in the economy and industry, are presented through various objects, panels, and display cases. The General Assembly Hall, located opposite the museum entrance, is a historic venue where parliamentary sessions were held between 1924 and 1960, where the number of members of parliament reached 610, and where Atatürk delivered his six-day-long “Nutuk” speech in 1927.

In the rooms on the right side of the entrance, personal belongings of the first three presidents of the Republic of Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, İsmet İnönü, and Celal Bayar, are on display. The second floor of the museum includes sections such as the Prime Minister's and President's offices, the Presidential Reception Hall, and the Parliament Presidency Office, which reflect the administrative areas of the period. These spaces, which feature pen-and-ink ceiling decorations and period chandeliers, have been arranged with documents and photographs from the period. This architectural and content-rich design transforms the Republic Museum into not only a historical structure but also a comprehensive memory space dedicated to the early Republican era.

Architectural Features

The architecture of the Republic Museum reflects the modernization approach of the early Republican era of the 1920s. The building was designed with a functional and aesthetic approach in line with the needs of the period. Its architecture is shaped in a neoclassical style and contains elements that reflect the political and cultural atmosphere of the period. The building attracts attention with both the functionality of its interior spaces and its powerful appearance from the outside.

The influence of neoclassical elements can be seen on the exterior of the building. This design approach points to the modernization efforts of the early years of the Republic. The interior spaces of the building blend traditional Turkish architecture with modern lines, reflecting the cultural richness of the period. The architectural details, which are both functional and symbolic, visually present the social structure and development of the early years of the Republic to visitors.

The building consists of two floors and spacious halls, and its large meeting hall and many side rooms have hosted the activities of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. In the main hall of the building, many important political decisions were made while the fundamental laws of the Republic of Türkiye were being adopted. The fact that every room in the building has a function, a memory, and is filled with the memories of the founders of the Republic elevates the building beyond being merely an architectural work.

Museum Sections and Exhibits

• II. TBMM Room: Explains the building’s history with documents and photographs.
• Atatürk Principles and Reforms Room: Displays political, social, economic, and industrial reforms with related artifacts.
• General Assembly Hall: Central legislative hall where Atatürk’s Nutuk was delivered.
• Presidents’ Rooms: Personal items of Atatürk, İnönü, and Bayar.
• Second-Floor Rooms: Prime Minister and President offices, Presidential Reception Hall, Speaker’s Office, decorated with period chandeliers and carved ceilings.

Exhibitions and Collections

The Republic Museum has important collections relating to the early years of the Republic of Türkiye. The museum houses personal belongings of important figures of the period, documents, writings, and maps used during the proclamation of the Republic, and portraits of important political figures of the period. These works offer a broad perspective on the years when the foundations of the Republic were laid.

In particular, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's personal belongings occupy an important place in the museum. Many documents, items, and photographs related to Atatürk's life and struggle are on display in the museum. These items are of great value in understanding the social and political atmosphere of the early years of the Republic. They also offer an opportunity to get to know Atatürk's life and intellectual world more closely.

Other important works in the museum include the first laws and constitutional texts of the Republic of Türkiye. These documents played an important role in the establishment of the Republic and symbolize the first steps in the democratization process in Türkiye. The museum also displays portraits, written documents, and printed materials belonging to leading political figures of the period. These collections reveal the ideological perspectives, political struggles, and approaches to social change of the founders of the Republic.

Visitor Experience

The Republic Museum not only offers visitors a historical experience, but also provides an interactive and participatory visit. With the support of modern technologies, the museum provides visitors with multimedia content and visual materials, enabling them to gain in-depth knowledge about the early years of the Republic. Additionally, the dioramas and interactive screens in the museum facilitate visitors' interaction with the past.

The museum also hosts cultural events. Due to its acoustic properties, concerts and various artistic performances are held at the museum. These events offer visitors not only a cultural experience in a historical atmosphere but also an opportunity to celebrate the cultural heritage of the Republic. Furthermore, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions at regular intervals, bringing together works from different periods.

The Republic Museum is an important cultural heritage site that tells the story of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye. The collections in the museum provide in-depth information about the social, political, and cultural transformations of the period. It also provides detailed information about the lives and ideologies of the founders of the Republic. With its architectural structure, artifacts, and cultural events, the Republic Museum continues to be a center that keeps alive the early years of the Republic of Türkiye and the fundamental values of the Republic. In this regard, the museum offers its visitors both historical depth and cultural richness.