Historical Vahit Pasha Manuscript Library (1811 Seyyid Vahit Pasha Foundation - Rare Manuscripts Museum)

History and General Information / Local Legends and Folklore Vahit Pasha Library, founded as a foundation institution next to the Grand Mosque in 1811 (Hijri 1227) by Seyyid Mehmed Vahit Pasha, the Chief of the Ottoman Empire and the Governor of Kütahya, is one of the oldest and most distinguished independent manuscript libraries in Anatolia. The institution, whose foundations were laid with the priceless personal collection donated by Vahit Pasha himself, today serves under the Presidency of the Turkish Manuscripts Association. Architectural / Natural Structure and Details It was built in the late Ottoman classical masonry architectural style, protected against fire and moisture with domes and thick cut stone walls. More than 3,000 rare manuscripts and more than 10,000 early lithographs from the Seljuk, Principalities and Ottoman periods are preserved in the library. The collection includes gold-gilded Qurans, astronomy and medicine treatises, and the divans of the Germiyanoğulları Principality. Spiritual Visiting Etiquette and Commemoration Guidelines Visiting the library makes you feel the smell and texture of an ancient civilization basin that has shed light on seekers of knowledge for centuries. The masterpieces of bookbinding, marbling and illumination exhibited in the domed research hall reveal the pinnacle of Ottoman book arts. Practical Visiting Tips & Transportation / Check-in It is located in the eastern courtyard of the Historical Ulu Mosque, in the city center of Kütahya. It can be easily reached on foot from the city centre. It is open to researchers and cultural visitors during working hours on weekdays; entrance is free. Surrounding Routes & Local Gastronomy Discovery It is located in the historical core combined with Yıldırım Bayezid Kütahya Grand Mosque, Kossuth House Museum, Germiyan Street and Archeology Museum. After the trip, traditional Kütahya manti, cimcik dough and famous Kütahya halva should be experienced in the historical Germiyan Mansion. • Address / Open Location: Historical Vahit Pasha Manuscript Library (1811 Seyyid Vahit Pasha Foundation - Rare Manuscripts Museum) Mevkii, Center, Kütahya, Türkiye