Today in History – 4 August

The Pink Villa

In 1924, İsmet İnönü purchased the Pink Villa, where he would spend 48 years of his life, as a vineyard cottage. He moved there with his family in 1925 and lived there until 1973. One of the oldest houses in the city, the Pink Villa witnessed many of the “firsts” in the social and cultural life of Turkey after Ankara was named capital.

The first ball of Ankara was held here on February 22, 1927. The first concerts, exhibitions, scientific meetings, chess, billiards, horseback riding, and dressage competitions were held in this house and on its premises. Experiments with raising the flowers and trees suited to the climate of Ankara were first conducted in its garden.

All these events fell within the scope of İsmet Pasha’s special interest. İsmet Pasha had a passion for fine arts, painting and sculpture, and polyphonic music. He would never want to miss any concert, play, or exhibition. He loved sports and horseback riding. He was an avid reader. He had a library of eight thousand volumes.

The Pink Villa was the modest home of a modern Turkish family with an attachment to traditions. Separated for many years due to the ongoing war after they were married, İsmet Pasha and Mevhibe Hanım found peace and happiness there after 1925. Their oldest son Ömer was born in İzmir, whereas their son Erdal and daughter Özden were born in this house.

The dining room was the most popular and frequently used part of the house. Atatürk had greatly contributed to its construction and decoration. Atatürk would sometimes call in the evenings and wish to visit with 10, or sometimes 20 people. He would never fail to ask if there was enough food in the house for so many guests. If not, he would bring the food himself. Many issues of the period were discussed and resolved in that room, around the dining table.

Today, the Pink Villa is opened for private exhibitions and for visitation at certain periods.