Egyptian National Library and Archives (دار الكتب والوثائق القومية)

Pre-1923 postcard of The Egyptian National Library and Archives (public domain)
Pre-1923 postcard of The Egyptian National Library and Archives (back) (public domain)

The Egyptian National Library and Archives  (دار الكتب والوثائق القومية) “Dar el-Kotob”,  formerly known as The Kehdivial Kutub Khana, is a non-profit government organization, and is located in Cairo.  It is the largest library in Egypt and one of the largest libraries in the world.    

Established in 1870. It was originally located in Prince Mustafa Fadel’s palace in Darb Al Gamamiz.  However, due to its rapid increase in inventory, a new building was built in 1904 in Bab Al Khalq, which also included the Museum of Islamic Art. 

In January 2014, a car bomb explosion targeting the Police Headquarters across the street caused extensive damage to the Library building and collections, and forced the Library to close for renovations until early 2019. 

The National Library currently houses several million volumes, including some of the oldest Arabic-language and Eastern manuscripts in the world.

3 thoughts on “Egyptian National Library and Archives (دار الكتب والوثائق القومية)

  1. Annita Panaretou
    Ph.D.
    Athens, Greece.

    Dear Madame/Sir,
    I am interested in the issue of 27 April 1946 of the newsparer “La Reforme” (Alexandria). It is crucial for a research of 4 years and I have looked for it anywhere I could, but in vain.
    Could you please inform me if you have this issue? And if not, perhaps you might advice me where I can find it.

    Thank you!

    Sincerely,
    Annita Panaretou

    Like

      1. Thank you very much for your response. I already went through the Cvafy archuve, they posess only 10 issues anad the one I am interested in is not among them.
        Best regards,
        Annita Panaretou

        Like

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