Books have existed for thousands of years and are a way of
expressing feelings, ideas and, above all, telling stories . Libraries were created with the aim of democratizing access and serving as a home for various works, but some, in addition to fulfilling this role, are also true
temples of architecture . Many of these spaces have become true postcards of their respective countries. Below, we have selected 10
of the most beautiful libraries to visit around the world !
Tianjin Binhai Library - China
(Ossip van Duivenbode/CASACOR)
Located near Beijing, the library stands out for its
futuristic look and for containing more than 1.2 million books available to the public. The highlight of the project, designed by the Dutch firm
MVRDV, is the
modular box layout , similar to a "Tetris".
Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BnF) - France
One of the oldest and most beautiful libraries in the world, the BnF has its origins in the
French monarchy of the 14th century , during the reign of Charles V. The space has accompanied the
country's history and preserves many of the elements of that time in its architecture, and for this reason, it is seen both as a library and a museum.
Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library - Hungary
Cosiness is the word that best sums up the
welcoming atmosphere present in this century-old library, a landmark in Budapest. The look could easily be mistaken for that of a castle, and for good reason, since the place is a restoration of the old
Wenckheim Palace .
Royal Portuguese Cabinet - Brazil
Anyone looking to visit one of the most beautiful libraries in the world should put away their passports, because one of the most impressive libraries is located in the state of
Rio de Janeiro . The place, considered an
artistic heritage site , was created as a study and discussion space for a group of
43 Portuguese immigrants in 1837 – many of whom had been persecuted in Portugal by absolutism. In 1900, the space became public for anyone to view its collection.
Dujiangyan Zhongshuge - China
A library with a surprising and magical look. This is the Dujiangyan Zhongshuge located in
Chengdu , a province on the
edge of the Gobi Desert . The space has
mirrors on the ceiling and mirrored coverings on the floor , which give the library an infinite feeling, while its arches create a fantastic atmosphere. There are more than
80 thousand books in the collection – but there seem to be many more.
Abbey Library of Saint Gall - Switzerland
Saint Gallen, one of the most renowned tourist attractions for its
architecture that recalls the 8th century in Europe, has among its treasures the baroque-style Abbey Library of Saint Gall, considered
a World Heritage Site , which has more than
170 thousand books - being one of the oldest in the region.
Vasconcelos Library - Mexico
The contrast between the
steel structures and nature is the first thing that catches your eye when you arrive at the Vasconcelos Library, located in
Mexico City . The building is located in the middle of a
Botanical Garden and is surrounded by
green areas and water . Its industrial look is capable of housing more than 5,000 visitors and 600,000 books.
Starfield COEX - South Korea
(Reprodução/Instagram @starfield.official/CASACOR)
Located inside a
shopping mall , in one of the most important commercial centers in the capital
Seoul , this library surprises with its
grandeur, fun look and more than 50 thousand books in its collection. In addition to the shelves, there are more than 200 spaces to sit, read or simply rest.
Admont Abbey Library - Austria
Almost a thousand years old, this library will now complete its
950 years of existence in 2024, and it is no wonder that it was a great icon of the
Baroque movement in Europe . Its shelves hold stories and tales: there are more than
200 thousand works available in the collection.
The Maughan Library - England
The library located on the
King's College London campus is a classic that brings together everything from study materials to various works for different audiences. The place also stands out for offering students a comfortable and welcoming place to study, aiming at concentration.
