Türkiye’s First Living Tree Museum Marks 96 Years

Türkiye’s first living tree museum, the Ataturk Arboretum in Yalova’s Termal district, continues to thrive 96 years after its founding by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1929. Spanning over 1 million square meters, the arboretum hosts more than 1,500 trees from 66 species worldwide, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency

Designed by French architect Henri Prost and landscaped by chief gardener Pandelli Roketas, the arboretum was created with saplings sent by foreign ambassadors at Ataturk’s request. Many of those trees are now nearly a century old.

Operated by the Health Ministry’s Thermal Springs Administration, the site includes greenhouses for rare species and serves as a hub for forestry students and nature lovers. Landscape architect Vasfiye Balci noted the presence of century-old plane trees and Ataturk’s beloved hydrangeas, emphasizing that the arboretum is maintained using natural methods whenever possible.

Described as a “living laboratory,” the arboretum showcases trees from countries including the U.S., China, Argentina, and Albania, preserving Ataturk’s legacy of environmental stewardship.