Ragip Pasa Library, Ottoman library in Laleli district, Istanbul, Turkey
Ragip Pasa Library is a library in the Laleli district of Istanbul housed under a large domed roof. The interior features colorful ceramic tiles and shelves filled with old manuscripts and books.
The library was founded in 1763, with the founder's tomb located in the garden of the complex. Later, additional manuscripts were added through transfers from various educational institutions.
The name honors the Grand Vizier who founded it, reflecting how educated Ottomans valued the gathering of knowledge. Visitors can sense this through the careful arrangement of books and manuscripts, which shows how seriously systematic learning was taken.
Visiting is best done during daytime when natural light illuminates the rooms and details are clearer. It is wise to walk slowly and allow time to explore the different collections.
The original collection began with 1,000 manuscripts gathered by the founder, an impressive foundation for such an institution. This reflects the personal passion the benefactor had for preserving written works.
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