Ahmet Arif Literature Museum Library 🇹🇷

Step into Turkish literary history at the Ahmet Arif Literature Museum Library, located in the historic Sur district of Diyarbakır, Turkey. Situated right next to the Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum, this cultural sanctuary opened in 2011 inside the Hacı Halid Konağı—a traditional 120-year-old mansion featuring classic Diyarbakır architecture. The museum covers 360 square meters, arranged in a quadratic layout with six rooms and a stoa surrounding a spacious central courtyard, serving as a historic home attributed to celebrated local poet Ahmet Arif.

You can explore a dedicated collection showcasing Arif's personal belongings alongside photographs of notable authors from southeastern Anatolia. Literature lovers will appreciate the library's repository of more than 2,000 books and 60 periodicals covering topics in history and literature. Depending on when you visit, you might catch writing workshops, author discussions, or poetry performances.

For nine months of the year, the serene courtyard invites you to relax under a massive walnut tree and read your chosen book, offering a quiet, authentic glimpse into the region's rich artistic tradition.

What to see at Ahmet Arif Literature Museum Library

• Housed in the 120-year-old Hacı Halid Konağı mansion
• Exhibits personal belongings of legendary poet Ahmet Arif
• Displays photographs of notable authors from southeastern Anatolia
• Features a library with over 2,000 books and 60 periodicals
• Offers courtyard reading under a huge walnut tree for 9 months of the year

Visiting tips

Spend time relaxing with a book under the giant walnut tree in the central courtyard during the nine months of the year it is open for outdoor reading.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Ahmet Arif Literature Museum Library is easy to reach on Diyarbakır’s public transport, and pairs naturally with St. Giragos Armenian Church and Şeyh Muhtar Mosque. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Diyarbakır travel guide.