National Library of Aleppo

The National Library of Aleppo was established in 1924 through the initiative of the distinguished scholar Kamel al-Ghazzi and Reverend Minsh. It started with a modest collection of no more than 1,500 books housed in two rooms within Khan al-Jumruk. In 1939, with funding from Prince Mustafa al-Shihabi, the library moved to a new building in Bab al-Faraj Square, evolving into a cultural beacon that today holds 100,000 books—two-thirds of them in Arabic—alongside rare documents. The library consists of two floors: Upper floor: Houses two reading halls named after Omar Abu Risha and Khayr al-Din al-Asadi, along with a book storage area. Lower floor: Features a theater with a capacity of 300 people, which has hosted lectures and literary evenings with renowned authors like Taha Hussein and Bint al-Shati, as well as theatrical performances such as Othello. Managed by distinguished intellectuals, including the poet Omar Abu Risha, the library remains a vital hub for researchers, welcoming around 600 visitors daily during the academic season.