Atatürk ordered the mansion to be moved four meters away on rails to prevent the pruning of a sycamore tree branch that was touching the building's roof.
The move was completed in 1930 and reportedly involved lifting the structure and placing it on tram rails to slide it across the grounds.
The mansion was built in a record time of only 22 days during Atatürk's visit to the area.
The original sycamore tree that prompted the move is still standing on the property and is protected as a natural monument.
The mansion was constructed using a timber frame and is considered an example of early 20th-century Turkish architecture.
Atatürk used this retreat specifically to host scientists, politicians, and friends for discussions on the modernization of Turkey.
The building was incorporated into the national museum network to preserve its role as a symbol of Atatürk's environmental awareness.
The Yalova Atatürk Mansion, known locally as Yürüyen Köşk (The Walking Mansion), is a historic wooden house built by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1929. The structure was commissioned to serve as a summer retreat for the founder of the Republic of Turkey within the Termal district. It is architecturally significant for its unique story regarding environmental conservation. The mansion was relocated to save a plane tree that was scraping its roof, leading to the creation of a rail-based moving system. The building features period furniture, original interior decor, and personal belongings of Atatürk. It sits within a landscaped garden complex overlooking the Sea of Marmara. The interior layout remains largely preserved to reflect the lifestyle and aesthetic of the early Republican era. It functions today as a house museum managed under the regional tourism administration.
The exterior view showing the sycamore tree leaning over the roof of the mansion.
Combine your visit with the nearby historic Termal hot springs, which are within walking distance.
The path around the mansion offers a paved coastal walk that is ideal for viewing the surrounding gardens.
Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid the crowds associated with the summer peak at the hot springs.
Do not attempt to touch the original furniture or sit on the period-accurate chairs.
Closed on Mondays.
Remove your shoes before entering the interior rooms and refrain from taking flash photography near original artifacts.
