Russian Czar’s Hunting Lodge To Be Turned Into Turkish Hotel

The Turkish government plans to restore an historic mansion that once served as a hunting lodge for Russia’s last czar, Nicholas II, and turn it into a boutique hotel.

The mansion, built in 1896 and constructed out of wood and stone without the use of nails, is located in the Sarıkamış district in Turkey’s northeastern Kars province. Its straight-lined design and simple façade is considered to be within the “Baltic” architectural style.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry approved the restoration project on April 26, and a company based in Antalya, whose name has not yet been disclosed, will perform the restoration work.

Kars’ governor Rahmi Doğan said last week that the restored building, known locally as "Hunting Pavilion" or "Catherine's Mansion" will be utilized by the Special Provincial Administration of Kars as a boutique hotel with 50 beds.  

"The locals have eagerly been waiting for this restoration," said Zekeriya Kaya, mayor of the Sarıkamış district, adding that it would be a significant contribution to tourism in the region.

In the 19th century the surrounding region near Sarıkamış was a battleground between the Ottoman and Russian empires. After the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, Sarıkamış became part of the Russian empire. The mansion was used for military purposes until 1994, when it was taken over by Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry.