Malek National Library and Museum, National library and museum in District 12, Tehran, Iran
Malek National Library and Museum is housed in a six-story building within the National Garden complex that blends traditional Persian architectural elements with concrete, brick, and tile. The facility holds around 70,000 printed books and 19,000 manuscripts available to researchers across two reading rooms.
The collection originated in 1937 when Hosayn Malek donated his manuscripts and artifacts to make them publicly accessible. This founding enabled the preservation of important Persian writings for future generations.
The museum displays artworks spanning different periods and showcases Qajar-era decorated pen cases alongside historical Qurans from various times. Visitors can observe handwritten works and traditional craftsmanship techniques that are preserved in the collection.
Both reading rooms are free to access and provide free WiFi and comprehensive cataloging systems for researchers working with the collection. Visitors should note that the rooms are geared toward academic work and require respectful, quiet conduct.
The collection holds scientific manuscripts by Avicenna and examples of Persian calligraphy from the tenth century written in Persian, Arabic, and Ottoman Turkish. These historical texts show the diversity of scholarly exchange in the ancient Islamic world.
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