Rize Atatürk House Museum

Rize Atatürk House is located in the Yalı Civarı area within the boundaries of Müftü Mahallesi in central Rize. It is a three-story example of civilian architecture reflecting early 20th-century Turkish design. Construction began in 1920 and was completed in 1921. The stone-built basement was used for storage while the upper floors were arranged as living quarters. The northern side features a large garden.

^{Rize Atatürk House Museum} (Türkiye Culture Portal)

The house belonged to Mataracı Mehmet Efendi, who earned Atatürk’s favor through his efforts during the War of Independence. In September 17, 1924, during his “Autumn Tour,” Atatürk visited Rize and stayed in this house. He was accompanied by his wife Latife Hanım and members of parliament.

On the centenary of Atatürk’s birth, the Mataracı family donated the house to the Rize Provincial Special Administration for conversion into the Atatürk House Museum. Restored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on December 27, 1985, it was opened to the public as a museum.

The ground floor houses security and staff rooms. On the first floor, a meeting hall displays some personal belongings of Atatürk and ethnographic artifacts from the region. The second floor contains Atatürk’s bedroom, offices used by members of parliament of the period, photographs of the deputies, and historical photographs of Rize.

The ownership of the museum belongs to the legal entity of Rize Province, and its maintenance and repairs are carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The building underwent comprehensive restoration in 2004 and 2008.

The Rize Atatürk House Museum is recognized as an important cultural heritage reflecting the traditional architectural characteristics of the region. It also serves as a significant historical site that preserves the memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s visit to Rize and sheds light on the history of the national struggle and the early Republican period.