Last Updated on 11/03/2023
The 250-year-old Rami Kislasi building in Istanbul Eyüpsultan will now serve as a library. It will be Turkey’s largest library and one of the few ones in Europe. It contains 20 thousand books in 40 languages, including manuscripts and works from the personal library of Fatih Sultan Mehmet.
Opening of Turkey’s largest library in Istanbul
Rami Library, which has a landscaping area of 51 thousand square meters and a seating capacity of 4 thousand 200 people, opened with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It is Turkey’s largest library and one of the few ones in Europe.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan toured the library before the opening ceremony.
The library will host national and international exhibitions, conferences, and events. Moreover, authorities announced that it will welcome book lovers 24 hours a day daily.
Rami Kislasi: Turkey’s Largest Library
The idea of restructuring the Istanbul Rami Kislasi, which has a history of more than 250 years, as a library is based on the studies of “Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture”. The renovation work occured in 3 stages in order to be a new and different place that will meet the cultural, educational, and artistic needs of the society and will be the window opening to the information society of Turkey and Istanbul.
Restoration works progressed in accordance with the original design. Rami Kislasi Library, which just entered into service is likely to be Turkey’s largest library in line with the concept of living libraries.
Configuration of Turkey’s largest Library
Rami kislasi Library, which includes a children’s department, a digital library, a youth library, specialized areas, and an adult section, has a total of 21 units under 5 deputy directorates. In order to provide modern librarianship service, free study, and reading rooms, open 24 hours. Moreover, a children’s section, an area for disabled persons, collective and individual study rooms, books and non-book materials, and digital resources exist in Rami Kislasi Library.
Furthermore, the middle area of the Rami Istanbul Library includes a public garden, lecture halls, reading areas, event stages, children’s playgrounds, and a free activity zone. It also hosts co-working areas, exhibition areas, as well as walking and cycling paths.
The library is home also to warehouses and living spaces such as a mosque, prayer room, and childcare room. Within the campus configuration of the Rami Library, the Atatürk Research Specialized Library and the repair sections with live viewing of manuscripts were designed under the leadership of the Turkish Historical Society and Atatürk Science Board.
Rami Kislasi Project main Information
Project area: 220 thousand m2
National Garden Landscape Area: 51 thousand m2
Closed Area: 36 thousand 250 m2 (8 main branches – 23 thousand m2 and 5 block structures – 12.7 thousand m2)
Seating capacity: 4 thousand 200 people
Book capacity: 2.5 million pieces
Coordinator: Istanbul Directorate of Surveying and Monuments (Turkish Historical Society investment budget)
1st Stage Contract Value: 28 million TL (2014 prices)
2nd Stage Contract Value: 39 million TL (in 2017 prices)
3rd Stage Contract Value: 181 million TL (in 2021 prices)
Brief History of Rami Kislasi
Rami Kislasi Farm was built by Grand Vizier Rami Mehmet Pasha to Sultan III during the time of Mustafa between 1757-703. Sultan II. Rami Kislasi farm is a masonry building that underwent restoration during the reign of Mahmut II and was active until the 1960s. The structure served as a parking lot, sports field, and food warehouse before it was given to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 1980.
Istanbul is a very rich city in terms of history, culture and infrastructure. Therefore the Turkish government gives always great importance to restoration projects to preserve the city and the country history.
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