Kasr-ı Hümayun is situated in the centre of Izmit. The original building was constructed on wooden foundations during the reign of Sultan Murat IV. However, it was destroyed by an earthquake and fire. The current palace was built during the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz (r. 1861-1876) in the European-Baroque style. The architect of the palace was Amira Karabet Balyan. Kasr-ı Hümayun is the only palace built outside of Istanbul. The two-storey neoclassic building is decorated with marble. The ceiling decorations were created by the French painter Sason. Until 1967, the building served as the governorate and service of agriculture. Since then, it has been used as the İzmit Museum. The building was restored in 1992 but was heavily damaged during the earthquake in 1999. After further restoration between 2004 and 2005, Kasr-ı Hümayun was opened as a palace museum in 2007. The personal belongings of Atatürk, brought from the Savarona Presidential Yacht, are exhibited in Atatürk's Room. These include a kidney-shaped coffee table, a telephone, table lamps, armchairs, a leather resting chair, and a chess table. The museum features a symbolic meeting table, where Atatürk held his first press conference on January 16, 1923, with editors-in-chief of six major newspapers who supported the War of Independence and Mustafa Kemal since the beginning. The names of the journalists are engraved on the table. Original newspaper clippings dated to 1938 about Atatürk’s death are also exhibited in the room. Other sections of the museum include the Resting Room (Room with pearls), Reception Hall, Bedroom, and the Sultan’s bath.
PALACE MUSEUM / HUNTİNG LODGE
