Atatürk Marine Mansion. Photo: Neslihan Şık

Those who traveled by Marmaray this summer likely encountered people heading to Florya with their beach bags. Florya, once one of the prominent resort areas in Istanbul, still maintains this status with its urban forest and vast sandy beach, offering a convenient option for a peaceful getaway close to the city center.

Florya first rose to prominence in the 1920s when the Russian expatriates, fleeing the Bolshevik Revolution, settled along its coast, leading to the opening of two beaches named “Solarium” and “Haylayf”. However, its journey to becoming a renowned seaside resort and its current allure commenced with the construction of Florya Marine Mansion for Atatürk in 1935.

Atatürk Marine Mansion.Photo: Neslihan Şık	Atatürk Marine Mansion.Photo: Neslihan Şık
Atatürk with his adopted daughter Ülkü	Marine Mansion, SALT Research Gültekin Çizgen Collection

Designed by Seyfi Arkan, this modernist building stands on piles in the midst of the sea.

Designed by Seyfi Arkan, a prominent figure in the Republican-era Turkish architecture, this modernist building stands on piles in the midst of the sea, connected to the land by a wooden pier. Atatürk frequently used the mansion, which was built in a very short time with specially designed details and materials, between 1935 and 1938. Some of the furnishings reflecting the modernist, simple and functional aesthetic approach of the period were also designed by the architect Seyfi Arkan. In 1993, the building underwent a comprehensive restoration and is now used as a museum.

Florya Beach, 1950s

In Florya, where the social life began to flourish under Atatürk’s influence, the most modern beach facilities of that period were soon inaugurated. Florya Beach Club, designed by Rüknettin Güney, another renowned architect of the Republican era, was completed in 1938 as part of the beach. The club, where dance nights and concerts were held, frequently made headlines in the tabloid press of the time. The beach, closed in the 1980s due to increased environmental and sea pollution, was recently renovated and reopened for operation by IBB under the name “Florya Sun Beach”. Güney’s Beach Club, on the other hand, has undergone some additions and renovations over time and is still utilized as a restaurant.

Florya Beach Club

Florya Sun Beach

Florya Atatürk Forest, an oasis near the city center with its rich flora, started its transformation into an urban forest with the construction of the Marine Mansion. Today, the forest spans 67.55 hectares and boasts “monumental natural assets, including 7 Atlas mastic trees aged between 250 to 400 years, standing at 17 meters in height and 7 meters in diameter, along with 1 pyramidal cypress tree with a lifespan of nearly 600 years”.

Florya Atatürk Forest

A 380-year-old mastic tree in Florya Atatürk Forest.

If you desire a break from the city hustle without leaving the city for a getaway filled with natural and cultural exploration, Florya is an ideal destination. Upon reaching Florya Station on the Marmaray commuter rail line, head towards the sea to discover Sun Beach. On sunny days, relish the beach ambiance, stroll along the extensive sandy shore, and bask in the beauty of the Marmara Sea. On cooler days, opt for a refreshing walk and a picnic in the forest. If you fancy, take a short stroll from the beach to Florya Atatürk Marine Mansion, which is now a museum. The soothing sound of the waves accompanying your tour, coupled with insights into the mansion’s history, serves as a reminder of something easily overlooked amidst the bustling centers of this city: our intimate connection with the sea.