Libraries From Our Wildest Dreams
Heavenly libraries don’t just exist in the castles from fairytales, they live on our planet. Avid bookworms and aspiring architects alike will marvel at the incredible buildings that house our literature. From ancient palaces to famous universities, these libraries are beyond any reader’s dreams.
1. Biblioteca Do Convento de Mafra, Marfa, Portugal
Once a museum designed in 1771, this Rococo building is now a gorgeous library. The marble floors shimmer as natural light floods the space, beaming through an array of large windows. Biblioteca do Convento houses the “forbidden books”, a 35,000 leather-bound collection that the Pope stored there back in 1745.
Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL on Wikimedia
2. Abbey Library Of St. Gall, St. Gallen, Switzerland
You’d think you’re dreaming once you step inside the Abbey Library. Gaze up at its lavish ceiling of Baroque paintings and it will take your breath away. The delicately carved wooden bookshelves hold over 160,000 volumes of ancient manuscripts and scientific writings.
Jonathan Francisca on Unsplash
3. Richelieu Library, Paris, France
Inside a historic palace is a library fit for royalty. Stories say that King Louis XIV stored his expansive collection of manuscripts and books there in the 1720s. Later, in the mid-19th century, the library opened to the public with world-famous reading rooms.
4. Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland
Nestled in the heart of Dublin city, Trinity College Library is a wooden chamber from an Irish fairytale. Its barrel-like ceilings and rich dark features give it a sophisticated touch and historic ambiance. The gorgeous library houses sought-after texts such as The Book of Kells and The Book of Durrow.
5. Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech Republic
The Strahov Library is known as one of the best-preserved historical libraries on Earth with a collection of books dating back to the 16th century. Astonishing frescos adorn the sky-reaching ceilings above elaborately carved bookshelves. The Philosophers’ Hall showcases robust cabinets displaying taxidermy, minerals, and model fruits.
Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA on Wikimedia
6. Piccolomini Library, Italy
A glittering display of colorful frescos takes over the walls of the Piccolomini Library. Situated inside the stunning Duomo di Siena, the artful library hosts works by the famous painter Pinturicchio who painted scenes of Pope Pius II. A focal point of the room is the Three Graces marble statue, surrounded by ancient manuscripts.
7. The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, New York, USA
Outside the doors, two iconic marble lions guard the entrance to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building which sits on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. As part of the renowned New York Public Library, this building stands out with its hanging chandeliers and intricately carved ceiling. The historic library houses millions of ancient readings, from Japanese scrolls to medieval manuscripts.
8. Klementinum National Library, Prague, Czech Republic
Known as the “Baroque pearl of Prague”, this stunning library is a book lover’s fantasy. Gold mahogany pillars spiral up towards a ceiling of ornate frescos and antique globes line the hall floor. Its elaborate ceiling-high bookshelves hold thousands of historical readings including preserved books from abolished monastic libraries.
9. Bibliotheca Alexandria, Egypt
The architecture of Bibliotheca Alexandria is a modern take on the spirit and scholarship of the ancient world. Erected in 2002, the contemporary building stands tall as the largest and most comprehensive library in the world. It also stands in the place of the original library which burned down over 2000 years ago and houses 8 million books, 4 museums, 4 art galleries, a planetarium, and a manuscript-restoration lab.
10. Admont Abbey Library, Austria
This picturesque library is one of the oldest and largest monasteries in Austria exhibiting Baroque-style artwork and architecture. The heavenly interior glitters in gold and white, with 7 stunning cupolas and many intricate wood carvings. The ceiling is a masterpiece of educational frescos, painted by Bartolomeo Altomonte in the 1700s.
11. The Library Of El Escorial, San Lorenzo De El Escorial, Spain
A walk down the curved library hall takes you through a tunnel of artwork rich in color and history. Commissioned by King Philip II of Spain in 1563, the vaulted library is a Renaissance splendor that houses over 40,000 books. Seven elaborate frescos paint its walls and ceilings depicting ancient scenes of liberal arts including music, astrology, and geometry.
Jose Luis Filpo Cabana on Wikimedia
12. Austrian National Library, Vienna, Austria
The Austrian National Library is a rare gem from 1735. The interior is reminiscent of precious treasure, drenched in gold and pearly white hues. Situated inside the enchanting Hofburg Palace, it’s no wonder the library reflects the riches with its frescos, Venetian globes, and antiques dating back to the 4th century.
13. Royal Portuguese Cabinet Of Reading, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
This bewildering library holds the most precious collection of Portuguese literature outside of Portugal. With over 400,000 rare books, the handsome floor-to-ceiling bookshelves hold an impressive collection across 3 floors. The rich dark wood makes up most of the interior, adding a bold and beautiful aesthetic to the stunning cabinet.
14. Stuttgart City Library, Germany
The crisp and polished architecture of the Stuttgart City Library is a minimalist’s dream. The nine-story open-concept library is filled with a relaxed atmosphere and simple modern features. Everything is white except for the thousands of books that sit on the pristine bookshelves covering every wall.
15. Beitou Public Library, Taipei, Taiwan
This library is a dream for bookworms with a green thumb. The Beitou Library was built with the environment in mind and designed with many ecological features. Windows line the walls bringing in the sunlight, saving energy on electricity. The slanted roof collects rainwater and uses it for the lavatories. Visitors can breathe in the fresh air as they read on the wrap-around balconies that look off to the flora and fauna that surround them.
Camille San Vicente on Unsplash
16. George Peabody Library, Baltimore, USA
Founded in 1857, the George Peabody Library is now part of Johns Hopkins University campus. Coined as the “cathedral of books”, the striking library holds 300,000 books on its lavash shelves. Cast-iron balconies and gold-scalloped columns reach the 60-foot ceiling inside this literature wonderland.
17. Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Mexico City, Mexico
With transparent walls and scaffold-like bookshelves, the architecture of this library is an industrial visionary experience. The open-concept interior floods with natural light through the sky windows. Its raw and geometric architecture stacks high in the 820-foot building which also houses artwork from professional artists.
18. Wiblingen Monastery Library, Ulm, Germany
The Wiblingen Monastery Library is from the pages of a German fairytale. Step inside and you’ve been transported into a whimsical palace bursting with Rococo frescos and architecture. Elaborate carvings detail every wooden column and statue, painted to resemble polished marble. Over 15,000 books fill the colorful shelves including a collection of Pagan and Christian readings that reflect the art.
Holger Uwe Schmitt on Wikimedia
19. Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK
Oxford University is home to one of Europe’s most celebrated neoclassical libraries. The impressive circular library holds numerous collections of famous writings including works by Shakespeare. The Bodleian Library has been featured in popular movies like Young Sherlock Holmes and The Golden Compass.
20. Tama Art University Library, Tokyo, Japan
It’s only fitting that an art university houses a picturesque library. Despite its minimalist and contemporary design, the building is meant to reflect vaulted spaces like old wine cellars. The library is a sleek concrete structure with arches and curved details. Shelves are stocked with over 100,000 books on the second floor as the first floor hosts an open gallery space for various art exhibitions.
