10 Most Beautiful Libraries Around The World

The Royal Portuguese Reading Room, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilEstablished in 1887, this Neo-Manueline style library houses the largest collection of Portuguese literature outside Portugal, featuring carved wooden interiors, stained glass, and ornate cast-iron bookcases.Trinity College Library, Dublin, IrelandDating back to 1592, Trinity’s Long Room is a barrel-vaulted masterpiece containing over 2,00,000 of the library’s oldest books, including the famous "Book of Kells," a mediaeval manuscript.Library of Parliament, Ottawa, CanadaOpened in 1876, this circular Gothic Revival structure is the heart of Canada’s legislative library system. Its central reading room, topped by a dome, is adorned with intricate woodwork.The Library of El Escorial, Madrid, SpainPart of a 16th-century monastery complex, this Renaissance library features vaulted frescoed ceilings and a priceless collection of manuscripts, reflecting King Philip II’s vision of universal knowledge.Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris, FranceBuilt in the mid-19th century, this cast-iron masterpiece designed by Henri Labrouste pioneered modern library architecture. Its long reading room is filled with natural light and literary tranquillity.George Peabody Library, Baltimore, USAOften dubbed the “cathedral of books,” this 19th-century research library boasts five storeys of cast-iron balconies and holds over 3,00,000 volumes, primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries.Admont Abbey Library, AustriaSet within a Benedictine monastery founded in 1074, this 18th-century Rococo library is the largest monastic library in the world, famed for its white-gold interiors and ceiling frescoes.Stuttgart City Library, GermanyThis ultramodern cube-shaped library, designed by Yi Architects, features minimalist white interiors and a striking central atrium. It combines contemporary design with public accessibility and vast digital resources.Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech RepublicDating to the 12th century, this Baroque-style library is split into two grand halls—Philosophical and Theological—each filled with ceiling frescoes, globes, and rare historical manuscripts.National Library of China, BeijingOne of the largest libraries in the world, it preserves over 37 million items. Its stunning modern building opened in 2008, merging digital innovation with traditional Chinese aesthetics.Top 15 Things To Do On Your Europe TourRead More