Dar Issaf Nashashibi Cultural Center – Preserving Heritage and Literature

A historic Jerusalem villa preserving Palestinian literature, heritage, and culture

Overview

The Dar Issaf Nashashibi Cultural Center is housed in a grand early 20th-century villa in East Jerusalem, once the residence of the prominent Nashashibi family. Today, it serves as an archive, library, and cultural venue dedicated to preserving Palestinian heritage and encouraging literary and intellectual life in the city.

Its collections include rare manuscripts, books, and photographs documenting Jerusalem’s social and cultural history, making it a vital resource for researchers and visitors alike.
Its location in the Old City underscores its mission: to bring new creative energy into one of the world’s oldest and most contested spaces.

Cultural and Community Role

This cultural center plays a crucial role in safeguarding Jerusalem’s Palestinian identity. Beyond preserving written heritage, Dar Issaf Nashashibi hosts lectures, poetry readings, and exhibitions that bring literature and the arts into public life. It is both a guardian of the past and a promoter of contemporary culture, connecting generations of Palestinians through knowledge and creativity.

The center highlights the role of Jerusalem’s families and intellectual circles in shaping Palestinian cultural history, while offering an accessible space for learning and reflection.

What to Experience

Explore rare manuscripts and archival collections documenting Palestinian life.

Attend literary readings, lectures, and cultural events held at the villa.

Enjoy the setting of a historic Nashashibi family residence in East Jerusalem.

Learn about the contributions of Palestinian intellectuals to regional culture.



Visitor Information

Location: Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem
Hours: By appointment or for scheduled events
Contact: +972-2-628-3392 (Palestinian Ministry of Culture – Jerusalem Office)
Entry: Free / donations welcome
Note: Best to contact in advance for visiting hours or events.