The Most Beautiful Libraries In The World

 Admont Abbey Library

Location: Admont, Austia

Created: 1776

Number of books: 70,000

Once you get a glimpse of it, there is no denying that the Admont Abbey Library in Austria is one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. Rather than its collection, what amazes most visitors is the Baroque architecture with gold and white ornaments.

Strahov Monastary Library

Location: Prague, Czech Republic

Created: 1671-1679(Theological Hall), 1794-1797(Philosophical Hall)

Number of books: 200,000

The Theological Hall boasts a Baroque style with a ceiling full of stucco decorations and paintings from the 18th century. Although the Philosophical Hall is younger, it’s also worth your time.

Royal Portuguese Reading Room

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Created: 1837

Number of books: 350,000

The three-floor reading room has dark wood shelves and arches with gold decorations, skylights in iron, and a majestic chandelier. If you’re into gothic architecture, you’ll love this Manueline-style library.

Austrian National Library

Location: Vienna, Austia

Created: 1368

Number of books: +8 million 

The State Hall is the main attraction with two floors of bookshelves, sculptures, and exhibitions.

The Austrian National Library is the largest in Austria with over 12 million books and collection objects. One of the most popular collections among history lovers is the collection of antique and rare manuscripts.

Rijkmuseum Research Library

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Created: 1885

Number of books: 400,000

The Rijksmuseum is a museum with an eye-catching art library inside.

From the third floor, you’ll witness the striking visuals of the open interior four-tier library with balconies and spiral staircases.

Biblioteca Joanina

Location: Coimbra, Portugal

Created: 1717

Number of books: 250,000

Although heavily ornamented, the Joanina Library’s interior somehow blends graciously throughout the main room.

The two-tier bookshelves and gold ceiling its a sight worth seeing. Like the Mafra Palace, this library also uses bats to control pests.

The Royal Library of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Location: Madrid, Spain

Created: 1565

Number of books: 40,000

Established by King Philip II inside the complex of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, in Madrid, the library houses over 40 thousand books, rare baroque globes, and armillary spheres.

But beyond the collection, what captures most visitors is the ceiling’s colorful frescoes with images of classical history.