KÖPRÜLÜ LIBRARY in Istanbul

The Köprülü Library was the first independent library to be established in the Ottoman period. This librray was built in 1662 by Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed Paşa as an addition to the mosque comples originally built by Köprülü Mehmed Paşa in Çemberlitaş. The original collection which consists of works donated by the Köprülü family has remained relatively stable with around 2775 manuscripts and 1508 printed books. This primarily manuscript librray is subordinated to the Süleymaniye Library. A published three-volume catalogue describing this collection is available.