The 15 most beautiful libraries in the world

Do you have a passion for reading and want to enrich your culture while discovering fascinating places? Great, Generation Voyage is offering you the chance to discover the 15 most beautiful libraries in the world!

Reading is undoubtedly one of the most enriching activities. While travel is necessary to increase your knowledge of the world, immersing yourself in books is just as important. Did you know that you can combine the two? By visiting the world’s most beautiful libraries, for example! In fact, there are many such libraries along a traveler’s itinerary, no matter which continent he or she is visiting. Today, we’d like to take you on a tour of these magnificent cultural, architectural and historical sites.

Ready to enjoy an unforgettable experience in these exceptional centers of knowledge? Here’s a careful selection of the 15 most beautiful libraries in the world.

1. Admont Abbey Library, Austria

Since the late 11th century, the monks of Admont Abbey have been copying and collecting precious religious manuscripts. Today, this gigantic rococo library, completed in the 1770s, houses a spectacular collection of rare and precious manuscripts. It also had an eventful history, particularly during the Second World War. If you want to discover one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, no problem: visit Admont Abbey!

2. Strahov Monastery Library, Prague

With its impressive collection of over 200,000 books, the Strahov Monastery Library is a splendid place to visit. Perfectly preserved since the 18th century, it features Baroque and neo-classical architectural elements. In fact, the ceilings of the halls are covered with sublime frescoes by Siardo Nosecký and Anton Maulbertsch! It’s a majestic place, and one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Given the beauty of the city of Prague, how could it be otherwise?

3. Joanina Library, Coimbra

The Joanina Library is located in the historic center of the University of Coimbra campus. It was built in the 18th century in the purest Baroque style by order of King John V. And it’s not just for the impressive number of documents it contains! This first-rate cultural and historical attraction is also an architectural marvel. Richly decorated, it also owes its beauty to the rare woods and exotic materials brought here from Brazil. Go and discover it!

4. Tianjin Binhai Library, Tianjin

With a collection of just 200,000 books, this spectacular library completed in 2017 is located in Tianjin. Designed by prestigious architectural firms, it offers visitors an exceptional futuristic and disruptive design! Trompe-l’oeil books appear to undulate over the heads of visitors, who are stunned by the spectacle. There’s no doubt that this is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, and a must-see if you’re visiting Tianjin.

5. Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris

The Sainte-Geveviève library is located in the chic and prestigious 5th arrondissement of Paris, close to the Panthéon. This state university library (just a stone’s throw from the Latin Quarter) has seen generations of students pass through its doors. The building, built in 1851, is a listed historic monument and houses almost two million documents! If you’re a reading enthusiast passing through Paris, don’t forget to pay a visit.

6. Library of the Monastery of San Lorenzo Del Escorial, Madrid

Located just fifty kilometers from Madrid, the Monastery of San Lorenzo Del Escorial is a cultural landmark. Nestled in the Sierra de Guadarrama, the monastery was built by Felipe II after the death of his father. The building was constructed in typical Herrerian style (named after the architect in charge of the project). And if you want to discover other exceptional points of interest, check out the Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Nearby, it is a Unesco World Heritage Site!

7. Library of the Abbey of St. Gall, Switzerland

It is undoubtedly one of the world’s most beautiful libraries, both historically and as a tourist attraction! Founded in the 7th century, today it boasts an incredible blend of Baroque and Rococo architectural styles. In addition to its painted ceilings, the library contains some 170,000 books, some of them extremely rare. The entire Benedictine abbey, a major cultural center in the Middle Ages, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

8. Trinity College Library, Dublin

The Trinity College Library is the oldest library in Dublin, Ireland. The two-storey, wood-panelled library exhibits precious, historically interesting books and manuscripts. In fact, some of them are said to be 1,600 years old! Among them is the famous Book of Kells, a majestically illuminated medieval manuscript. If you’re visiting Celtic lands, be sure to visit one of the world’s most beautiful libraries!

9. University of Zurich Library

Opened only in 2004, the library at the University of Zurich was an immediate and undeniable success. It was designed by the renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who decided to integrate a dome into the 1909 building. This glass surface offers breathtaking clarity and light, projected onto six circular galleries made of light-colored materials. Suffice to say, this well of light (and science) is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world!

10. Wiblingen Monastery Library, Ulm

Ulm University’s medical faculty is housed in a monastery built in the early 11th century. And it boasts a splendid adjoining library, whose distinctive 18th-century architecture will delight visitors. Richly decorated and open to the public, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful libraries in the world! The icing on the cake is the monastery’s location on the Haute-Souable Baroque Route. What are you waiting for?

11. Stuttgart Library

This splendid 40-metre-high building dominates Stuttgart’s Milan square. Korean architect Eun Young Yi is responsible for this spectacular monolith, which is open to all. The exterior façade is punctuated with rare stones, and a gigantic hole of light awaits the curious inside! A fourteen-metre-high void serves as the heart of the library. The work of art is quite remarkable and attracts many foreign tourists… as well as reading enthusiasts.

It’s one of the most beautiful libraries in the world!

12. Public Library, New York

With 53 million items, the New York Public Library is the second largest public library in the United States. The building is distinguished by its rich and majestic architecture, and the enormous research space within. Today’s library is the result of the merger of numerous cultural and scientific centers. Frequented by students and tourists alike, it is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world!

13. Rio de Janeiro National Library

This colossal library can be found in the heart of the sublime city of Rio de Janeiro, on the Plaza Cinelândia. Quite simply, it is the largest library in Latin America, and the second largest on the American continent! Housing almost nine million books, this unique center of knowledge is housed in a perfectly preserved period building. If you’re passing through this mythical city, we advise you to visit it as soon as possible.

14. Vasconcelos Library, Mexico City

This impressive library offers 4,000 seats over an area of almost 12,000 m². More than 500,000 books are available to students and curious visitors alike! Visitors can also explore the splendid botanical garden surrounding the imposing building. The interior features Gabriel Orozco’s « Mátrix Móvil », a painted whale skeleton that has become a symbol of the place.

15. Kansas City Public Library

Among the most beautiful libraries in the world, the one in Kansas City is well worth a visit. This former headquarters of a major American bank is located in the prestigious business district. Here, you can discover a wide range of documents, relax over a coffee and admire the decor. The distinctive architecture of this public library, forming a « book garage », has helped to establish its cultural reputation. What are you waiting for when you visit Kansas City?