Want to get away from it all for a few moments? Indulge your little bookworm side or the young Gryffindor inside you and discover the alcoves, manuscripts and gilding of these 15 ancient libraries and inspiring bookstores.
Biblioteca Joanina
Coimbra, Portugal
Located on the campus of the University of Coimbra, this baroque library is known for its splendid decorations, but also for … its colony of bats, whose mission is to eat insects that could damage the books!
Library of Trinity College Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
This university library is a popular Dublin attraction, particularly the Old Room, a 65-meter-long room with superb vaults and woodwork built in the 18th century.e century, which contains 200,000 ancient books. The establishment also houses the Book of Kells, a precious richly illuminated medieval manuscript.
Livraria Lello
Porto, Portugal
The library ofHarry potter, it’s her! At least, it is from this bookstore that author JKRowling would have drawn inspiration for her novels, if we are to believe the rumors. The store, an architectural gem, was inaugurated in 1906 in the heart of Porto.
Real Gabinete Portugues de Leitura
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This grandiose library, opened towards the end of the XIXe century, houses the largest collection of Portuguese-language works outside of Portugal. Its name in French is “Royal Portuguese Reading Cabinet”.
Stiftsbezirk St. Gallen
St. Gallen, Switzerland
We can say that the origin of the important library of the abbey of Saint-Gall goes back to the years 700, even if the baroque building which shelters it today dates from 1767. It is considered as one of the oldest (and most beautiful) in the world, and is part of the UNESCO heritage.
Morrin Center
Quebec, Canada
In the English-language cultural center Morrin Center, in the heart of Old Quebec, is a little treasure: the library of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, which has been welcoming readers since 1868. It is possible to visit it (when it is there is no pandemic).
George Peabody Library
Baltimore, United States
The George Peabody Library opened in 1878 and today houses 300,000 books, mostly from the 19th century.e century. In addition to being a place of acquaintance, it hosts weddings and other private events. Chic!
Carturesti Carusel
Bucharest, Romania
Carturesti is a chain of stores selling books and gifts, not a historical library. You have to go to the old town of Bucharest to read a book in this photogenic branch, installed in a former bank built at the beginning of the 20th century.e century.
Benediktinerstift Admont
Admont, Austria
Welcome to the largest monastic library in the world, that of Admont Abbey. The Baroque building, completed in 1776, dazzles with its frescoes and gilding. You can visit the place in 3D here.
Law Library at Iowa State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa
The Iowa State Capitol Law Library has plenty to impress with its ornate floors and ceilings, alcoves filled with 105,000 books, and spiral staircases. It opened in 1886.
Rijksmuseum Research Library
Amsterdam, netherlands
As the name suggests, this establishment is part of the famous Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It is the largest public art history research library in the Netherlands.
Biblioteca do Convento de Mafra
Mafra, Portugal
Pink, gray and white marble, chic wooden balustrades, old books with leather bindings … This rococo bookcase from the XVIIIe century is a real gem. And, just like that of Coimbra, it is home to a colony of bats!
Strahovská Knihovna
Prague, Czech Republic
The library of the Premonstratensian Convent in Strahov, with more than 200,000 works and numerous frescoes, is described as one of the most precious and best preserved in Europe. Its oldest wing dates from the 1670s.
Biblioteca Statale Oratoriana dei Girolamini
Naples, Italy
The library of the Girolamini of Naples opened its doors to the public in 1586, that is to say more than 400 years ago. It is the oldest in the whole city. She was talked about in 2012 and 2013, for a serious case of theft of old books.
The Morgan Library and Museum
New York, United States
On Madison Avenue in Manhattan, this museum is now part of New York’s heritage. It features a very photogenic research library founded by banker JP Morgan in 1906.