Sakarya Museum

The Sakarya Museum, located in Adapazarı, is housed in a historic mansion originally built between 1910–1915 by Major Baha Bey, who served as the Recruiting Office Director of the period. Designed as a three-storey residence with a basement, the building holds a special place in Turkish history:

On 14–21 June 1922, just before the Great Offensive of the War of Independence, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed here with his mother during his inspection tour of Adapazarı.

From Residence to Museum

· 1967 Earthquake: The building suffered significant damage.

· 1981: Registered as an example of civil architecture.

· Expropriation: Taken over by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, its interior was renewed and transformed into a museum.

· Opening: Officially began service on 12 January 1989, and welcomed visitors for the first time on 21 June 1993.

Today, it stands as both a memorial to Atatürk’s presence in Adapazarı and a cultural museum that preserves artifacts from prehistoric times to the modern era.

Museum Exhibitions

Archaeology Section
Artifacts from prehistoric, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods include:

· Sharp stone chips and flat hand axes

· Ossuaries and burial steles

· Bronze and terracotta vessels

· Gold figurines

· Oil lamps, perfume bottles, and tear bottles

· Glass and metal artifacts

· Coins from the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods

Ethnography Section
The ethnographic collection consists of objects from the Ottoman and Republican periods, as well as artifacts brought from the museums of Bursa, Amasya, Konya, Tokat, and Ankara. Items on display include:

· Handcrafted works and household objects

· Candlesticks and gas lamps

· Firearms, cutter guns, and coffee mills

· Copperware, seals, and healing bowls

· Ottoman coins

· Personal belongings of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Museum Garden
The outdoor exhibition area presents architectural and funerary artifacts from Roman and Byzantine Sakarya, such as:

· Tombstones and inscribed stones

· Altars and sarcophagi

· Column bases

· Large terracotta storage jars (pithoi)

Cultural Significance

The Sakarya Museum serves a dual role:

1. As a War of Independence memorial, honoring Atatürk’s 1922 stay in the house.

2. As a cultural institution, preserving archaeological and ethnographic treasures that reflect the history of Sakarya and Anatolia.

✨ A visit to the Sakarya Museum offers both a journey through time and a tribute to Atatürk’s enduring legacy.