📚 İzmir Rare Books at AASSM until 15 November 2026: Visiting Guide

TURKIYE · Oct 12, 2026

1. A temporary exhibition worth a visit

İzmir's rare-book exhibition “Belgesel Mirasın İzinde: İzmir’in Nadir Eserleri” opened on 19 September 2026 at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Centre (AASSM), Entrance Gallery, and runs until 15 November 2026. Prepared by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and İzmir National Library, it presents 61 works: 26 manuscripts, two lithographs and 33 printed books. Highlights include a 1732 printing of Kâtip Çelebi's Cihannüma and Aristotle's collected works printed in Latin in 1531.

Visitors examine an item in a display case at the exhibition opening; İzmir Metropolitan Municipality photograph.

2. Planning your visit

Make the exhibition a focused cultural stop, allowing time to read the object labels rather than hurrying past the cases. With children, try comparing handwriting and print, then looking for differences in paper, illustration and page layout. These simple observations can start a conversation about how knowledge passes between generations.

Contact the centre on +90 232 293 38 00 or [email protected] to confirm Entrance Gallery hours for your visit, any admission charge and the access arrangements you need. Concert times and seat-booking information alone do not establish exhibition admission arrangements.

Before setting out	What to confirm
Timing	Exhibition hours, opening days and any exceptional closure.
Admission	Whether the exhibition requires a reservation or separate ticket.
Getting there	The appropriate entrance and current public transport or driving options.
Viewing	Label languages, photography rules and any available guided visit.

Two visitors viewing one of the displayed books at the opening; İzmir Metropolitan Municipality photograph.

3. Questions for a more rewarding visit

What to notice	A useful question while viewing
Handwriting and print	How does a handwritten page differ from a printed one?
Language and illustration	How do text and images help explain the book's subject?
Signs of age	What does the label say about this copy's date and preservation?
Comparing copies	Is the work's composition date the same as the displayed copy's date?

A work's composition date, the copying date of a manuscript and the printing date of an edition can be different. Read each label with that distinction in mind, and avoid attributing a particular copy to an author, scribe or printer from appearance alone. Do not touch the exhibits, and follow gallery instructions on proximity and photography.

4. Combining it with a day in İzmir

Choose one further area that fits your time and the day's weather. The district and transport guides below can help you plan the rest of the day. Allow separately for travelling and viewing, and leave time for a break; a rewarding cultural outing does not require a long list of stops.

Visitors gathered around an open manuscript in a display case at the opening; İzmir Metropolitan Municipality photograph.

Related topics

📚 İzmir Rare Books at AASSM until 15 November 2026: Visiting Guide

TURKIYE

Active member

1. A temporary exhibition worth a visit​

2. Planning your visit​

3. Questions for a more rewarding visit​

4. Combining it with a day in İzmir​

1. A temporary exhibition worth a visit

2. Planning your visit

3. Questions for a more rewarding visit

4. Combining it with a day in İzmir