One of humanity’s greatest accomplishments is creating a system to pass on knowledge, culture, ideas, and history from generation to generation over thousands of years. It seems only fitting then, that we should house these written works in grand rooms and great buildings.
Although pictures don’t quite do these places justice, they at least convey the importance of books.
Check out this list of 15 of the world’s most beautiful libraries and be sure to share it with a friend!
1. Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland
Trinity College hosts thousands of tourists every year and is home to this beautiful library.
It is most famous for carrying the Book of Kells which is a medieval manuscript written in Latin that contains gospels from the Bible as well as beautiful illustrations.
2. Biblioteca Joanina, Coimbra, Portugal
This Baroque Library sits within the boundaries of the University of Coimbra in Portugal. It was built in the 18th century and attracts visitors and tourists from across the globe.
3. Sainte-Geneviève, Paris, France
The Sainte-Geneviève Library is located in Paris, France, just across the street from the Panthéon. It was nearly destroyed during the French Revolution but still stands tall and beautiful today.
This is a must-see if you’re ever visiting the area.
4. Galerie Diane At The Château Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau, France
This room was originally called the Queen’s Gallery and is the longest room in the castle. Yes, you read that right. This is a library room located inside one of the most incredible castles in France.
5. Stuttgart Library, Stuttgart, Germany
The Stuttgart Library takes a modern twist on housing classic works of literature and priceless manuscripts of ancient times. If you ever find yourself in Stuttgart, this library is definitely worth the stop.
6. Palace Of Mafra, Mafra, Portugal
This Baroque and Neoclassical palace-monastery was completed back in 1755. It sits in the town of Mafra which isn’t far from Lisbon.
Many tourists make the short trip from the capital city in order to see this incredible building.
7. Grimm Zentrum Library, Berlin, Germany
This library in Germany contains thousands of books pertaining to subjects that range from philosophy to rehabilitation science.
It is located at the Humboldt University in Berlin and is just as stunning on the outside as it is on the inside.
8. Bibliothèque De La Sorbonne, Paris, France
The library sits in the Sorbonne complex, which is associated with the University of Paris.
Come here for a quiet afternoon of reading or spend your time walking around its amazing rooms.
9. Biblioteca Angelica, Rome, Italy
This public library in Rome is famous for having 180,000 volumes of manuscripts that formerly belonged to the Augustinians. These works are crucial to our understanding of the history of the Reformation.
10. La Bibliothèque Nationale, Salle Ovale, Paris, France
This is the national library of France. As you can imagine, this place is massive and constantly full of people. Although maybe not the best choice for a private place to read, it’s certainly worth a visit.
11. Yale University Beinecke Rare Book And Manuscript Library, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
This is the largest building in the world that was constructed solely for the preservation of ancient manuscripts and rare books. It is accessible to the public and shouldn’t be missed if you happen to be in the area.
12. Vatican Library, Vatican City, Rome
This is one of the oldest libraries in the world and was established in 1475. It’s so old that its existence dates back to the origins of the Catholic Church.
The artwork that covers the ceiling and walls alone is worth the visit.
13. Bodleian Library, Oxford, England
This is also one of the oldest libraries in Europe, dating back to 1602. So although it’s not quite as old as the Vatican, it’s still an incredible historical building and is also the official library of Oxford University.
14. Library Of Congress, Washington D.C., USA
This is both the national library of the United States as well as the country’s oldest federal institution. It’s the largest library in the world in terms of shelf space and number of volumes.
15. Library Of Parliament, Ottawa, Canada
This national landmark of Canada is so prominent that it is featured on their ten-dollar bill. The library houses more than 600,000 items and is curated by a staff of about 300 individuals.
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