Inside the World’s Most Beautiful Libraries
The world has plenty of amazing places to visit. Natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, ancient relics like the Colosseum, and spectacular skyscrapers with sky-high observation decks are all there for you to visit. But, there are a few sites in almost every metropolis that you would not expect to steal your breath away: libraries.
To appreciate a decent library, you don’t have to be a bookworm but if you do, the better. But seriously, these libraries are a treat for your eyes. So many libraries, whether centuries or only a few decades old, might be a delightful stop on your next vacation.
Have a look at a few of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland
This austere, five-story library on the campus of Johns Hopkins University houses 300,000 books. Despite being legally part of the college, the library is open to the public because its namesake, George Peabody, was a well-known benefactor.
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Central Library of Vancouver, Canada
The Roman Colosseum inspired this historic library. It has nine stories and occupies a whole city block, so it’s not just a library with 9.5 million things (including books, e-books, CDs, DVDs, newspapers, and periodicals), but also a shopping center, café, and office space. There’s even an open-to-the-public rooftop garden.
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, New York Public Library
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, located on Fifth Avenue near Bryant Park, is also known as the Main Branch of the New York Public Library. The structure is arguably best known for its ornate marble exterior and the lion statues that guard the steps at the bottom.
Bodleian Library, Oxford, England
Of course, there are many great libraries in Oxford, but the Bodleian appears like an ancient cathedral. It has been in existence since the 14th century and contains 12 million volumes, featuring Shakespeare’s First Folio, a Gutenberg Bible, and Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species.”
Stuttgart City Library, Germany
This cube-shaped library isn’t as opulent as some of the older, bigger halls, but it’s surely one of the most unique. Its bright, white, five-story style gives the impression of a modern art gallery. The reading area, which is structured like an upside-down pyramid, is maybe the most intriguing aspect. It’s not your typical library.
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Trinity College Old Library, Dublin, Ireland
This antique library has two stories, dark wood arches, and a collection of almost seven million books. The Old Library, the oldest library building, began construction in 1712, though the college is considerably older. Moreover, it is the location of numerous ancient books, including “The Book of Kells,” “The Book of Durrow,” and “The Book of Howth.”
Bibliotheque Interuniversitaire de la Sorbonne, Paris
This centuries-old library is a component of the renowned Sorbonne, which later became a part of the University of Paris. It was built in the 13th century and is currently one of Paris’s largest libraries, with three million books on numerous disciplines, particularly history, geography, philosophy, and French literature. The Saint-Jacques Reading Room is a charming library area, with rich wood walls and elegant ceilings in mint green and cream.
Admont Abbey Library, Admont, Austria
This magnificent library first opened its doors in 1776. It is attached to the oldest remaining monastery in Styria (an Austrian state) and houses the world’s largest monastic library. The light and airy white and gold interiors are adorned with exquisite frescoes by Bartolomeo Altomonte and sculptures by Joseph Stammel, both Baroque painters.
Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech Republic
Although the monastery dates from the 12th century, this lovely library (equipped with an exquisite stucco ceiling depicting Biblical artwork) was completed in 1679. In addition to housing thousands of books, it also houses a magnificent art gallery that is a must-see for anybody visiting Prague.
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Library of Alexandria, Egypt
Julius Caesar destroyed Alexandria’s famous old library, but Egypt is now paying honor to that glorious antiquity. The round, granite edifice may not resemble the original library (based on historical reports), but it is undoubtedly attractive, with carvings by local craftsmen and a clean, blue reflecting pool.
Conclusion
This article is for all those bibliophiles out there who love allocating some time of their beautiful destination holidays to admire these archaic, modern, and organized spaces of books. are people who have a deep love of books. If you didn’t know, bibliophiles may spend a great deal of time and money acquiring books, and may even keep a detailed record of all their books. Many bibliophiles also have a strong appreciation for the physical elements of books, such as bindings, illustrations, and typefaces.
