There is nothing better than retiring with a good book and immersing yourself in another world for a while. And where better to do that than in a library? Around the globe there are numerous impressive reading temples that are worth a visit for the architecture alone. I’ll show you the 10 most beautiful libraries in the world.
Even if e-books are becoming more and more popular these days, nothing beats the feeling of holding a real book in your hand and leafing through it. Do you agree? Then take a look at the following 10 libraries, because in these places you can indulge in the “old-fashioned” reading pleasure and admire the impressive architecture. From New York to Dublin I have selected some of the most impressive reading temples in the world for you.
George Peabody Library, Baltimore
The George Peabody Library in Baltimore is without a doubt one of the most beautiful libraries in the United States. With the elegant black and white marble floor, the ornate balconies made of cast iron and the imposing pillars, the reading room is a real feast for the eyes. Here you can browse over 300,000 books on British and American literature, as well as art and history.
The George Peabody Library is the perfect wedding location!
But even if you are not a bookworm, the neoclassical building from 1978 is worth a visit for its unique atmosphere alone. By the way, the George Peabody Library is also very popular as a wedding location – with the dreamy ambience it’s no wonder. Here you can celebrate a real dream wedding!
Trinity College Library, Dublin
According to petwithsupplies, the renowned Trinity College in Dublin has a 300 year old library that will leave you speechless. When you enter the 65-meter-long hall, you have the feeling of being transported back to the 18th century. In general, there is an almost mystical atmosphere in the library, reminiscent of the Harry Potter films. So if you want to feel a little Hogwarts feeling, this is the right place for you.
At Trinity College you feel like you’re in a Harry Potter movie
Probably the most famous work in the vast collection of books is the Book of Kells, an illustrated manuscript from the 9th century that contains the first four Gospels of the Old Testament. But the remaining 200,000 books should also make bookworms’ hearts beat faster.
City Library, Stuttgart
The Stuttgart City Library offers works from all possible areas on a total of nine floors. Be it music, literature, geography or politics – bookworms can rummage through the shelves for hours and then retreat to a quiet corner. The interior of the library impresses with a modern design that is kept entirely in white and creates an almost futuristic atmosphere. The equipment is also impressive: in addition to 400 reading and workplaces, there are also several multimedia learning studios and a reading terrace.
New York Public Library, New York
The New York Public Library is one of the most famous libraries in the world and has been featured in numerous Hollywood films such as Ghostbusters or Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The imposing building on 5th Avenue is also one of the most important sights in the Big Apple and attracts many visitors.
The New York Public Library has been featured in numerous films
In addition to the splendid architecture, the library naturally also has an impressive selection of books to offer – to be more precise, there are over 51 million media here. If you don’t just want to look at the building, you can browse through the shelves and sit in the Rose Main reading room with a good book.
Bibliothèque Sainte Geneviève, Paris
The French capital Paris is also a real paradise for bookworms – the Bibliothèque Sainte Geneviève was completed in 1850 and was the first public library in France. The building, which was designed by the architect Henri Labrouste, now houses around two million works from all possible fields of knowledge. It is also the main library of the University of Paris and an important point of contact for students. The vaulted iron ceilings, which give the library its very own charm, are particularly impressive. If you can still find space among the numerous students, you can sit down in the large reading room and browse a little.
Admont Abbey Library, Styria
There are imposing libraries not only abroad but also in Austria you will find some wonderful reading temples that are worth a visit. A very special example is in the small market town of Admont in Upper Styria. The Admont Abbey Library was founded in 1074 and is the largest monastery library in the world.
A place like out of a fairy tale
The special thing about this library is the main hall with lavishly decorated bookshelves and the artistically painted ceiling. But the book collection is also very impressive. A total of over 70,000 works are guarded on the antique shelf, some of which date from the first millennium AD and are of great historical value.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria stands out with its modern design and has already received several awards for it. A special highlight is the glass roof, which rises from a pool of water and is inclined towards the sea. The building has a total of eleven floors, four of which are underground. With 2,000 reading spaces, the library also has the largest reading room in the world, and the book collection amounts to over 500,000 works.
Bodleian Library, Oxford
The Bodleian Library is located on the site of the famous Oxford University and should be known especially to Harry Potter fans. The first two parts of the successful film series were shot in these rooms. But not only Harry Potter fans should enjoy this beautiful library.
The Bodleian Library has already served as a filming location for Harry Potter
With an impressive collection of over 9 million volumes, the Bodleian Library is a real paradise for bookworms. This makes the library the second largest library in England after the British Library.
Royal Library, Copenhagen
The Royal Library in Copenhagen is right on the water and inspires with its futuristic architecture. The building consists mostly of black granite, which is interrupted in the middle by a glass atrium. The library is flooded with light and also offers a great view of the water. Thanks to the facade, the building is also known as “The Black Diamond”. The building, which also houses a concert hall, is the largest and most important library in Scandinavia, as well as one of the largest libraries in the world.
Seattle Public Library, Seattle
The Seattle Public Library was designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and is probably one of the most modern libraries in the world. The facade is made entirely of glass and, due to its asymmetrical shape, should be reminiscent of a stack of books.
The architecture of the Seattle Public Library is reminiscent of a pile of books
Inside the unusual building there are over two million media that can be consumed on site in the various reading rooms or taken home. But even if you are not a bookworm, the Seattle Public Library is definitely worth a visit, because it is one of the most interesting buildings in the city.
