Turkey Prepares for Royal Visit with Bullet Proof Glass

Ongoing renovation and restoration of the Çankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, is should be finished on time to accommodate Queen Elizabeth II during a three-day state visit to Turkey, which begins on May 13.

It would seem that whilst foreigners are no longer welcome to purchase property in Turkey, the Queen still warrants bullet proof glass fitted for an official visit.

Restoration began following President Abdullah Gül’s assumption of his post last August. Restoration of the Servis Binası (Service Building), where Gül’s office is located, is expected to be wrapped up before the queen’s arrival. The air conditioning system, furniture, carpets and lamps have already been replaced or updated. The building’s windows were also replaced with bulletproof glass.

Çankaya Palace was built upon the order Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, to plans drawn up in 1930 by Austrian architect Clemens Holzmeister. The two-story Çankaya Palace was completed in 1932. The first floor has been used to receive guests, while the second floor is residential.

A budget of YTL 18.8 million ($13.50)has been allocated from the presidential budget for the renovation and restoration of the presidential complex.

The first restoration of the complex’s residence structure, the Pembe Köşk (Pink Villa), built in 1932, was carried out in May 2000 upon the order of President Süleyman Demirel. The restoration included the demolition of certain parts of the Pink Villa. The villa’s flooring was changed and its garden renovated.

Another building in the complex, the Camlı Köşk (Glass House), built by Atatürk in 1935 for his sister Makbule Atadan, is also part of the presidential complex and is undergoing renovation. The building is used to host foreign heads of state and was first restored in 1996. The Piramit Salon (Pyramid Salon) is the only building in the complex not being renovated. It was built in November 1999 and is considered a center of technology. Its first guest was Matti Ahtisaari, the president of Finland. Booths, equipment required for simultaneous interpretation and cameras are found in this building.