Libraries are not just buildings, for me, they are a mandatory stop in every new city I visit and it’s where you can find the most beautiful architectural traits, ceiling frescoes and extravagant interiors, and of course, a whole collection of human knowledge.
If you find yourself wishing you had the library from Beauty & The Beast, this list is for you! A collection of libraries that should make every booklover update their travel bucket list.
BEAUTIFUL LIBRARIES TO ADD TO YOUR BUCKET LIST:
The Tianjin Binhai Library – Tianjin, China
The Tianjin Binhai Library is a very recent library that opened in 2017 but quickly made its way into all library lists.
The most eye-catching feature is a large spherical auditorium in the center, which gives this library “The Eye” nickname.
In here, you can find floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, with more than 1.2 million books, that work as bookshelves, stairs and a magnificent place to sit.
Wiblingen Monastery Library – Ulm, Germany
The Wiblingen Monastery library, with Rococo influences, has some beautiful hand-carved wooden columns and statues painted to resemble marble.
In here, you’ll find around 15 000 texts with Pagan and Christian imagery.
Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading was founded by a group of Portuguese immigrants and political refugees to promote culture among the Portuguese community in Brazil. Today, the Neo-Manueline-inspired building holds the biggest and most valuable collection of Portuguese literature outside of Portugal.
You will find in this building a façade inspired by Jerónimos Monastery, in Lisbon.
Admont Abbey Library – Admont, Austria
Admont Abbey library has the title o the world’s largest monastery library. The beautiful architecture, frescoes and sculptures are influenced by the Baroque style. Looking at the ceiling is mandatory, it shows the stages of human knowledge up to the high point of Divine Revelation.
This library served as inspiration for the Beast’s library in Beauty & The Beast!
A tip if you go there and want to photograph this beauty – an extra fee might be charged per camera.
Trinity College Library – Dublin, Ireland
The Trinity College Library, completed in 1732, is one of the most magical spots in Ireland, particularly the Long Room. Here you can find thousands of rare books, including the very own “Book of Kells”.
In pop culture, you can find a library that resembles this one in the Jedi archives, of the Jedi Temple in the movie Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
Mafra National Palace Library – Mafra, Portugal
Mafra National Palace Library is a Rococo splendor built in 1771. The beautiful rose, gray and white marble floor holds numerous bookshelves with volumes from the 14th to the 19th century. In 1745, the Pope granted the royal commission permission to house “forbidden books,” which remain a part of the 35,000 leather-bound collection.
This library has a peculiar feature – it’s the home for several bats that help protect the books from insect damage.
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library – New Haven, CT, USA
The Beinecke Library, situated on the Yale University campus, is one of the world’s largest libraries devoted entirely to rare books and manuscripts. You can even find here the Gutenberg Bible.
The building is made of Vermont marble and granite, and the interior is remarkable with a huge glass tower of books raising through the core of the building.
Here they are, the most Beautiful Libraries to add to your bucket list! Hope this article helps you in your travels! If you need any help designing your trip I can assist you with that! Just click here.
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