ANKARA PALACE

Ankara Palas, one of the iconic buildings of the Republic era in the capital, opened in 1928. For many years, it hosted high level foreign delegations and international meetings. Located opposite the Second Parliament building in Ankara's Ulus district, it became a central point for politics. In the 1930s, members of parliament, artists, and journalists would meet here to discuss daily political events. The founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, would also relax in this building after his parliamentary speeches and hold meetings here. According to Atatürk, Ankara Palas was "a window opening from East to West." Atatürk held his adopted daughter Nebile Hanım's wedding and their famous dance together in Ankara Palas. Initially conceived as the Parliamentary Club in the early years of the Republic, the first design of Ankara Palas was prepared by architect Vedat Tek. The historical building, whose foundation was laid in 1924 but remained unfinished when Vedat Bey left the project, was completed according to a new design by architect Kemalettin Bey. The building, transferred to the Foundations Administration, opened as a hotel with a capacity of 120 beds on April 17, 1927. In the 1930s, it served as a meeting place for politicians, journalists, and artists, as well as hosting official delegations and guests from abroad. In particular, İsmet İnönü, Celal Bayar, and Adnan Menderes frequently used Ankara Palas, hosting receptions there. It operated as a hotel until 1975. Between 1976 and 1982, it was used as an office and exhibition space by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In 1982, it underwent extensive restoration by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was opened as the Ankara Palas State Guest House on October 29, 1983. Having witnessed many important events in Turkish political life, Ankara Palas was transferred to the National Palaces Administration under the Presidency in 2018. Ankara Palas serves as the Presidential Museum once the projects are completed.