The Most Beautiful Libraries Around the World: A Visual Journey
Libraries are often seen as places of learning and research, but they can also be places of beauty and inspiration. This blog post will take you on a visual journey to some of the most beautiful libraries around the world. From the ancient libraries of Europe to the modern libraries of Asia, these libraries are sure to amaze and inspire you.
A Visual Journey to the World's Most Beautiful Libraries
In this blog post, we will take a visual journey to some of the most beautiful libraries around the world. We will explore their history and significance, their architectural style, interior design and features, the collection of books and other materials that they house, any interesting stories or unique facts about the library, and how the library is used today.
1. Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland
The Trinity College Library was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. It is the largest library in Ireland and one of the oldest libraries in the United Kingdom. The library is home to a collection of over 6 million books and manuscripts, including the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating back to the 9th century.
The Trinity College Library is housed in a beautiful Georgian building. The Long Room, the library's main reading room, is a two-story hall with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and wood-paneled walls. The room is lined with bookshelves that are filled with leather-bound books. The Long Room is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dublin.
The Trinity College Library houses a wide variety of books and other materials, including manuscripts, maps, photographs, and musical scores. The library's collection of rare books and manuscripts is particularly impressive. The library also has a large collection of books on Irish history and culture.
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2. Admont Abbey Library, Admont, Austria
The Admont Abbey Library is the largest monastic library in the world and is noted for its Baroque art, architecture, and manuscripts. The library was founded in 1074 and is home to a collection of over 200,000 books and manuscripts, many of which are centuries old.
The library was built in the Baroque style and is decorated with frescoes, sculptures, and intricate woodwork. The library's book hall is a two-story hall with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and frescoes depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The library is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular tourist destination.
The library houses a number of important historical documents, including the Admont Missal, a 12th-century illuminated manuscript, and the Admont Bible, a 14th-century illuminated manuscript.
The Admont Abbey Library is still used by the monks of Admont Abbey for research and study. The library is also open to the public for visits. Visitors can explore the library's book hall and other rooms, and learn about the history and collection of the library.
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3. National Library of the Czech Republic (The Clementinum), Prague, Czech Republic
The National Library of the Czech Republic (The Clementinum) was founded in 1777 by the Jesuits. It is one of the oldest and largest libraries in the Czech Republic and is home to a collection of over 7 million books and manuscripts, many of which are centuries old.
The library was originally located in the Clementinum, a former Jesuit college. The Clementinum is a beautiful Baroque building that is located in the heart of Prague. The library's main reading room is a two-story hall with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and frescoes depicting the history of science and learning.
The library was renamed the National Library of the Czech Republic in 1918 after the establishment of the independent Czechoslovak Republic. The library has continued to grow and expand over the years, and it is now a major research library for scholars from all over the world.
The library's collection of books and manuscripts is particularly impressive. The library houses a number of important historical documents, including the Clementinum Bible, a 15th-century illuminated manuscript, and the Comenius's Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart, a 16th-century book on philosophy.
The National Library of the Czech Republic is a major research library for scholars from all over the world. The library also offers a variety of public programs, including lectures, exhibitions, and concerts.
The library is open to the public for visits. Visitors can explore the library's main reading room and other rooms, and learn about the history and collection of the library.
4. Mafra Palace Library, Mafra, Portugal
The Mafra Palace Library was built in the 18th century as part of the Mafra Palace complex. The library was commissioned by King John V of Portugal and was designed by the Italian architect, Nicola Salvi. The library is one of the largest and most impressive libraries in Portugal and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Mafra Palace Library is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture. The library is housed in a two-story building with a central rotunda. The rotunda is topped by a dome and is surrounded by a gallery. The library's bookshelves are made of beautifully carved wood and are lined with leather-bound books.
The library's interior is also decorated with frescoes, sculptures, and other artworks. The frescoes depict scenes from mythology and history. The sculptures depict famous scholars and philosophers.
The Mafra Palace Library houses a collection of over 36,000 books and manuscripts. The library's collection includes a number of important historical documents, including the Mafra Bible, a 15th-century illuminated manuscript.
The Mafra Palace Library is still used by researchers and scholars. The library is also open to the public for visits. Visitors can explore the library's interior and learn about its history and collection.
5. Bibliothèque National de France (Salle Labrouste and Salle Ovale), Paris, France
The Salle Labrouste and Salle Ovale are two of the most famous rooms in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. The Salle Labrouste was designed by Henri Labrouste in the 19th century and is considered a masterpiece of Neoclassical architecture. The Salle Ovale was designed by Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin in the 18th century and is a beautiful example of Rococo architecture.
The Salle Labrouste is a large, rectangular room with a barrel-vaulted ceiling. The walls are lined with bookshelves made of cast iron. The room is lit by a series of skylights.
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| The Salle Labrouste |
The Salle Ovale is a smaller, oval-shaped room with a coffered ceiling. The walls are decorated with paintings and sculptures. The room is lit by a chandelier in the center of the ceiling.
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| The Salle Ovale |
The Salle Labrouste and Salle Ovale are part of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France's collection of over 15 million books and manuscripts. The collection includes a number of important historical documents, such as the Magna Carta and the Gutenberg Bible.
The Salle Labrouste was originally designed to be a reading room, but it is now used for exhibitions and events. The Salle Ovale was once used as a music room, but it is now used for meetings and conferences. The rooms are also open to the public for visits.
6. Stuttgart City Library, Stuttgart, Germany
The Stuttgart City Library was founded in 1919 and is one of the largest libraries in Germany. The library is housed in a striking building designed by Yi Architects. The building is a monolithic cube with a glass facade. The Stuttgart City Library is the first library in Germany to be designed by a Chinese architect.
The Stuttgart City Library is a modern building that is designed to be a welcoming and accessible space for everyone. The interior of the library is bright and airy, with plenty of natural light. The library has a variety of reading areas, including a children's area, a teen area, and a silent study area.
The library also has a number of special features, such as a rooftop terrace with views of the city, a cafe, and a media lab.
The Stuttgart City Library has a collection of over 2 million books, e-books, and other materials. The library also has a collection of special collections, such as a rare books collection and a music collection.
The Stuttgart City Library is used by people of all ages. The library is a popular place to study, relax, and learn.
7. George Peabody Library, Baltimore, USA
The George Peabody Library was founded in 1857 by George Peabody, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist. The library was designed by Edmund George Lind, an architect who also designed the Baltimore Museum of Art.
The George Peabody Library is a beautiful example of Romanesque Revival architecture. The library is housed in a red sandstone building with a round arch entrance and a crenellated roof. The interior of the library is decorated with stained glass windows, marble columns, and ornate chandeliers.
The George Peabody Library has a collection of over 300,000 books, manuscripts, and other materials. The library's collection includes a number of rare books, such as the Gutenberg Bible and the Bay Psalm Book.
The George Peabody Library is still used as a research library by scholars and students. The library is also open to the public for visits.
8. The Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech Republic
The Strahov Monastery Library is a Baroque library located in Prague, Czech Republic. It is one of the oldest and largest libraries in the Czech Republic and is home to a collection of over 200,000 books and manuscripts, many of which are centuries old.
The library was founded in the 12th century by the Premonstratensian order. The library's original collection was destroyed in a fire in 1258, but it was rebuilt and expanded over the centuries. The library's current building was built in the 17th century and is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture. The Strahov Monastery Library is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular tourist destination.
The Strahov Monastery Library is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture. The library's two main rooms are the Theological Hall and the Philosophical Hall.
The Theological Hall is decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The library's bookshelves are made of wood and are decorated with intricate carvings. The library also has a number of other beautiful features, such as a ceiling fresco by Jan Hiebl and a stained glass window by Josef Mocker.
The library houses a number of important historical documents, such as the Strahov Evangeliary, a 10th-century illuminated manuscript.
The Strahov Monastery Library is still used by the Premonstratensian order for research and study. The library is also open to the public for visits.
9. The State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
The State Library of Victoria was founded in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, making it Australia's oldest public library and one of the first free libraries in the world. The library is located in the heart of Melbourne and is a major cultural institution in the city.
The State Library of Victoria is housed in a beautiful Neoclassical building designed by Joseph Reed. The building is made of sandstone and features a colonnaded portico and a dome. The interior of the library is decorated with marble, mosaics, and stained glass windows.
The library's main reading room is called the La Trobe Reading Room. It is a two-story hall with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and is lined with bookshelves. The room is a popular spot for students and researchers.
The State Library of Victoria has a collection of over 4 million books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and other materials. The library's collection includes a number of important historical documents, such as the First Fleet Papers, the Eureka Stockade Records, and the Melbourne Cup Carnival Program.
The State Library of Victoria is still used as a research library by scholars and students. The library is also open to the public for visits.
10. Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris, France
The Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève is a public library located in Paris, France. It was founded in 1672 by the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. The library is named after Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris.
The library was originally housed in the abbey's cloister, but it was moved to a new building in 1851. The new building was designed by Henri Labrouste, a French architect who is considered one of the pioneers of modern library design.
The Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève is a beautiful example of Neoclassical architecture. The building is made of limestone and features a colonnaded portico and a dome. The interior of the library is decorated with marble, mosaics, and stained glass windows.
The library's main reading room is called the Salle Labrouste. It is a two-story hall with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and is lined with bookshelves. The room is a popular spot for students and researchers.
The library's collection includes over 2 million books, manuscripts, and other materials. The library's collection includes a number of important historical documents, such as the Magna Carta and the Gutenberg Bible.
The Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève is still used as a research library by scholars and students. The library is also open to the public for visits.
11. New York Public Library, New York, USA
The New York Public Library (NYPL) is a public library system in New York City. It is the second largest public library system in the United States, after the Library of Congress. The NYPL was founded in 1895 through the consolidation of the Astor Library, the Lenox Library, and the Tilden Foundation.
The NYPL's main building, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, is located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The building was designed by Carrère and Hastings and was completed in 1911. The building is a beautiful example of Beaux-Arts architecture.
The interior of the building is also impressive. The main reading room is called the Rose Reading Room. It is a two-story hall with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and is lined with bookshelves. The room is decorated with murals depicting scenes from literature.
The NYPL has a collection of over 53 million items, including books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and recordings. The library's collection is one of the most comprehensive in the world. The library also has a number of rare and valuable books, such as the Gutenberg Bible and the Magna Carta.
The NYPL is used by people of all ages and backgrounds. The library is a popular place to study, research, and borrow books.
12. Tianjin Binhai Library, Tianjin, China
The Tianjin Binhai Library is a public library located in Tianjin, China. It was opened in 2017 and is one of the largest libraries in China. The library is a popular tourist destination and has been nicknamed the "Eye" because of its distinctive design.
The Tianjin Binhai Library was designed by MVRDV, a Dutch architectural firm. The library's design is inspired by the human eye. The library's main reading room is a large, oval-shaped space that is surrounded by bookshelves. The ceiling of the reading room is made up of 102 eye-shaped skylights that provide natural light. The library's design has been praised by architects and designers around the world.
The library also has a number of other unique features, such as a children's area that is shaped like a whale and a rooftop garden. The Tianjin Binhai Library has a collection of over 1 million books and other materials.
The Tianjin Binhai Library is the first library in the world to be awarded a LEED Platinum certification, which is the highest level of environmental sustainability certification.
The library has been featured in a number of movies and television shows, such as "The Martian" and "The Amazing Race."
13. Stockholm Public Library, Stockholm, Sweden
The Stockholm Public Library is a public library system in Stockholm, Sweden. It was founded in 1905 and is one of the largest public library systems in Scandinavia.
The Stockholm Public Library's main building is located in the city center and was designed by Gunnar Asplund. The building is a beautiful example of Functionalist architecture. The exterior of the building is made of white concrete and glass. The interior of the building is spacious and light-filled.
The library's main reading room is a large, two-story hall with a barrel-vaulted ceiling. The room is surrounded by bookshelves and is filled with natural light. The library's main building was designed by Gunnar Asplund, one of the most important architects of the 20th century.
The Stockholm Public Library has a collection of over 10 million items, including books, manuscripts, maps, and music scores.
The Stockholm Public Library is used by people of all ages and backgrounds. The library is a popular place to study, research, and borrow books.
14. Vennesla Library, Vennesla, Norway
The Vennesla Library and Culture House is a public library located in Vennesla, Norway. It was opened in 2011 and is one of the most modern libraries in Norway. The library is a popular tourist destination and has been nicknamed the "Tree of Knowledge" because of its distinctive design.
The Vennesla Library and Culture House was designed by Helen & Hard, a Norwegian architectural firm. The library's design is inspired by the natural world. The library's main reading room is a large, open space that is surrounded by bookshelves. The ceiling of the reading room is made up of 27 ribs that inform the geometry of the roof, as well as the undulating orientation of the generous open space, with personal study zones nestled along the perimeter.
The Vennesla Library and Culture House has a collection of over 50,000 books and other materials.
The Vennesla Library and Culture House is used by people of all ages and backgrounds. The library is a popular place to study, research, and borrow books.
15. Starfield Library, Seoul, South Korea
The Starfield Library is a public library located in the COEX Mall in Seoul, South Korea. It was opened in 2017 and is one of the largest libraries in South Korea. The library is a popular tourist destination and has been nicknamed the "Library of Millenials" because of its innovative design.
The Starfield Library was designed by BENOY, an international architectural firm. The library's design is inspired by the concept of a "forest of books." The library's interior is made up of a series of interconnected spaces that are filled with books. The library also has a number of unique features, such as a rooftop garden and a children's area that is shaped like a treehouse.
The library's main reading room is a large, open space that is surrounded by bookshelves. The ceiling of the reading room is made up of a series of skylights that provide natural light.
The Starfield Library has a collection of over 500,000 books and other materials. The Starfield Library is used by people of all ages and backgrounds. The library is a popular place to study, research, and borrow books.
16. Library of Parliament, Ottawa, Canada
The Library of Parliament is the official library of the Parliament of Canada. It is located in the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ontario. The library was founded in 1867, and it is one of the largest libraries in Canada.
The library's collection includes over 6.5 million items, including books, journals, newspapers, maps, and manuscripts. The library also has a number of rare and valuable items, such as the first printing of the Canadian Constitution.
The library is used by members of Parliament, their staff, and researchers. The library also offers a variety of public services, such as interlibrary loans and reference assistance.
The Library of Parliament is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture. The library's exterior is made of limestone and features pointed arches and stained glass windows. The interior of the library is decorated with wood paneling and marble floors.
The library's main reading room is a large, two-story hall that is surrounded by bookshelves. The ceiling of the reading room is made up of a series of stained glass windows that depict scenes from Canadian history.
Most of the photos in this post are from Wikimedia Commons
