Passionate about reading, you want to enrich your culture while discovering fascinating places? Great, Wanderlix offers you to discover the 15 most beautiful libraries in the world!
Reading is certainly one of the most enriching activities. If it is necessary to travel to increase its knowledge of the world, diving into the books is equally important. Did you know that you could reconcile both? For example, visiting the most beautiful libraries in the world! In fact, there are many of them to pave the way for a traveller, regardless of the continent surveyed by the latter. Today, we want you to discover these very grand places, culturally, architecturally or historically.
Ready to enjoy an unforgettable experience in these centres of exceptional knowledge? Here is a carefully selected selection featuring the 15 most beautiful libraries in the world.
1. Library of the abbey of Admont, Austria
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Yuri Turkov
Since the end of the 11th century, the monks of the abbey of Admont have been copying and collecting precious religious manuscripts. Today this huge rococo library, completed in the 1770s, houses a spectacular collection of rare and precious manuscripts. She also had an enlivened history, especially during the Second World War. If you want to discover one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, no problem: go to the abbey of Admont!
2. Library of the monastery of Strahov, Prague
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With its impressive collection that includes more than 200,000 books, the library of the monastery of Strahov is splendid. Perfectly preserved since the 18th century, it offers the visitor architectural elements of baroque and neo-classical style. Moreover, the ceilings of the rooms are even covered with sublime frescoes, signed Siardo Nosecký and Anton Maulbertsch! The place is majestic and is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Given the beauty of the city of Prague, how could it have been otherwise?
3. Joanina Library, Coimbra
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On the campus of the University of Coimbra, in the historic centre, we find the Joanina library. It was built in the 18th century in the purest baroque style on the orders of King John V. And if you’re told, it’s not only for the impressive number of documents kept in its midst! This leading cultural and historical attraction is also an architectural wonder. Richly decorated, it also owes its beauty to rare woods and exotic materials brought back from Brazil. Go find her!
4. Tianjin Binhai Library, Tianjin
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Amnat Phuthamrong
With a collection of only 200,000 books, this spectacular library completed in 2017 is located in Tianjin. Designed by prestigious architecture firms, it offers visitors an exceptional futuristic and disruptive design! Books placed in trumpet-eye seem to be waving at the top of the visitors’ heads, amazed by the show. No doubt, this is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, to be discovered in case of stay in Tianjin.
5. Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris
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It is in the very chic and prestigious 5th arrondissement of Paris, close to the Pantheon , that we find the library of Sainte-Geveviève. This university state library (we are close to the Latin Quarter) has seen generations of students succeed. The building, built in 1851, is classified as a historic monument and houses nearly two million documents! If you’re a read and pass fairy on Paris, don’t forget to go there.
6. San Lorenzo Del Escorial Monastery Library, Madrid
Photo credit: Flickr – Jose Maria Cuellar
Located just 50 kilometers from Madrid, the San Lorenzo Del Escorial Monastery is a high cultural place. Nestled in the Sierra de Guadarrama, the monastery was built by Felipe II after his father died. The building was built in a typical Herrean style (named the architect in charge of the project). And if you want to discover other outstanding points of interest, go to the Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Close by, it is classified as the UNESCO World Heritage Site!
7. Saint-Gall Abbey Library, Switzerland
Photo credit: Instagram – adrussia
It is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, because of its historical and tourist importance! Founded in the seventh century, it now offers an incredible mix of architectural, baroque and rococo style. In addition to painted ceilings, the library includes nearly 170,000 books, some of which are very rare. In fact, the whole Benedictine abbey, a cultural hub preponderant to the Middle Ages, was part of UNESCO’s world heritage.
8. Trinity College Library, Dublin
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Trinity College Library (a university) is the oldest in the city of Dublin, Ireland. It is within a wooded setting that it exposes valuable and historically interesting books and manuscripts on two floors. Moreover, some of them would be 1600 years old! We find the famous Book of Kells, a medieval manuscript illuminated majesticly. If you are passing through Celtic Land, go and admire one of the most beautiful libraries in the world!
9. Library of the University of Zurich
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Opened in 2004 only, the library of the University of Zurich immediately enjoyed a success that was not demented. It was designed by the renowned Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava, who decided to integrate a dome into the building dating back to 1909. This glass surface offers stunning clarity and light projected on six circular galleries made of clear materials. So much to tell you that this well of light (and science) is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world!
10. Library of the Wiblingen Monastery, Ulm
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It is in a monastery built in the early 11th century that we find the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ulm. And it has a splendid adjoining library, whose very special architecture dating from the eighteenth century will delight the visitor. Richly decorated, open to the public, there is no doubt that it is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world! On the cake, the monastery is located on the tourist route of the Route Baroque de Haute-Souable. What do you expect to borrow it?
11. Library Stuttgart
Photo credit: Shutterstock – RossHelen
This splendid building of 40 meters high dominates the Milan square in Stuttgart. The Korean architect Eun Young Yi owes this spectacular monolith to everyone. The exterior façade is punctuated with rare stones, and a huge hole of light awaits the curious inside! An empty space with a height of 14 meters serves as the heart of the library. The work is quite remarkable and attracts many foreign tourists... just like reading lovers.
We recommend you go to discover it as soon as possible, it is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world!
12. Public Library, New York
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The New York Public Library is, with 53 million documents, the second largest public library in the United States. This building is distinguished by its rich and majestic architecture, and the space of research unfolded within it. The current library is the result of the merger of many cultural and scientific centres. Frequented by students and many tourists, the place is among the most beautiful libraries in the world!
13. National Library Rio de Janeiro
It is in the heart of the sublime city of Rio de Janeiro, on Place Cinelândia, that we find this huge library. It is simply the largest library in Latin America, and the second of the entire American continent! With nearly nine million pounds, this unique knowledge centre takes place in a perfectly preserved building of time. If you are visiting this mythical city, you should visit it as soon as possible.
14. Vasconcelos Library, Mexico City
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This impressive library offers, on nearly 12,000 m2, 4,000 seating places to grow. More than 500,000 books are available to visitors, whether students or simply curious! These can also travel through the splendid botanical garden that enchants the imposing building. The interior includes the "Mátrix Móvil", a work by Gabriel Orozco, a painted whale skeleton, which has become a symbol of the place.
15. Kansas City Public Library
Photo credit: Shutterstock – MGH
Among the most beautiful libraries in the world, Kansas City is really worth a look. This former head office of a large American bank is located in the prestigious business district. We come to discover various and numerous documents, but also to relax around a coffee while admiring the decor. The very special architecture of this public library, forming a “book garage”, helped to establish its cultural reputation. What are you waiting for when you stay in Kansas City?
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