From Brazil to China, 10 must-see libraries in the world

Because of its history. Because of its architecture, imposing in some cases; extremely modern in others. Or, of course, for the treasures in book form that they protect inside. There is libraries that is worth adding to the tourist itineraries of various destinations, to see from the outside or get to know them from the inside.

And the options are many. For example, Al-Qarawiyyin, in Fez, Morocco, the oldest library in operation, dates back to 1349. Or the largest, that of the United States Congress (closer, the largest in South America, the National Library of Brazil, in Rio). Among the most beautiful is the wonderful Royal Library of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain, from 1565.

Others historically valuable They are that of the Abbey of St. Gall, in Switzerland, a World Heritage Site, or that of the Wiblingen Monastery in Ulm, Germany.

At the other extreme, the more modernlike the Vasconcelos in Mexico City, or the Beijing Librarywho just won like “best library in the world 2024”according to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). In 2023, the distinction went to the impressive library Gabriel García Márquez of Barcelona.

Here, then, is a selection of the many libraries to discover.

You probably know the beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema, or have planned on your next trip to Rio de Janeiro to climb up to Christ the Redeemer, in Corcovado, to get great views of the Brazilian city.

But among its many cultural and historical treasures, Rio has the Royal Portuguese Reading Cabinet, a library built at the end of the 19th century and notable for preserving the largest and most valuable collection of books in the Portuguese language outside of Portugal.

Architecturally, you have to stop to observe its beautiful façade and its large reading room, among other details.

Currently, the library has a collection of around 350,000 volumes. Among the “rare works” include, for example, the princes edition of The Lusíadasfrom 1572, which belonged to the Company of Jesus; the Dom Manuel’s Ordinationsde Jacob Cromberger, editada en 1521; O The true information about the lands of Prester Joam, according to the testimony and writing of Father Francisco Alvarezfrom 1540.

The Royal Cabinet is open to the public on weekdays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free (www.realgabinete.com.br).

Library of Congress, in Washington, is considered the largest in the world by the number of volumes that stores: 164 million items, from books to photos to maps. It also has the largest rare book collection in North America and the largest collection of 15th-century books in the Western Hemisphere.

Here is the first book printed in what is now the US: The Bay Psalm Book (1640). But no one hesitates to point out the Gutenberg Bible, acquired in 1930, as its great treasure. This work from the 15th century is one of the three perfect parchment copies that exist in the world.

Currently, the library occupies three buildings: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and James Madison. The first stands out for its architecture – it dates back to 1897 – and is the most sought after by tourists. Free admission, with online reservation (www.loc.gov/visit).

If there is one library in the United States that we have all “seen” it is the New York Public Library. It doesn’t matter that you have never traveled: it was setting for lots of moviesfrom Ghostbusters to The Day After Tomorrow.

It is on Fifth Avenue, between 40 and 42, it was inaugurated in 1911.

Among his treasures: manuscripts, letters and original works by Shakespeare and Virginia Woolf, among others, and a draft of the United States Declaration of Independence. Free guided tours from Monday to Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (one hour). Little time? 15 minute visits to see the Rose Main Reading Room (www.nypl.org).

The Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, ONB or Biblioteca Nacional de Viena, is the largest baroque library in Europe and your visit can be accompanied by the Papyrus, Globe or Esperanto museums.

Much of its fame comes from the beautiful Gala Room (State Hall), restored in 2022. In the center is a statue of Emperor Charles VI, who commissioned the library in 1723.

It houses more than 200,000 historical works – from 1501 to 1850 – on wooden shelves, such as the collection of Prince Eugene of Savoy – bound in red, blue and yellow leather goods – and one of the largest collections of writings from the Reformation of Martin Luther. . Entrance to State Hall, 10 euros. There are guided tours (www.onb.ac.at/en).

The Stadtbibliothek at Mailänder Platz in Stuttgart is a building of 2011 cubic shape attracts all eyes. It has 11 floors and more than 20,000 square meters.

One of its facades lights up at night with different colors and looks like a big magic cube.

Its interior, where white predominatesit is spectacular. Admission is free and audio guides are rented. Fact: From the terrace you get very good views of the city (stadtbibliothek-stuttgart.de).

Its most famous and modern building, the Black Diamond (The Black Diamond), está en Søren Kierkegaards Plads, Copenhague. Inaugurated in 1999, tiene very good views of the port and is attached to previous structures, such as that of Preben Hansen (from 1968) in the center, and behind, the historic building from 1906.

The Black Diamond has reading rooms and is a cultural center with exhibitions and events, through which more than a thousand people pass through every day. Free admission. Guided tours on Mondays at 3pm, one hour in Danish and English. It costs almost US$17; under 18 years old, free (www.kb.dk/en).

The Oxford University Library It has been operating since 1602, it is one of the oldest in Europe and its name honors the librarian Thomas Bodley. It spans three buildings: Weston Library (free entry), Old Library and Radcliffe Camera (with guided tour).

Among the curious, rare or historical workshouses the first edition of Shakespeare’s works (the First Folio of 1623) and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein manuscripts, among many other treasures (visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk).

As tribute to the legendary Library of Alexandria (built by Ptolemy three centuries before the Christian era), the project to build a new library arose in 1987 and opened its doors in 2002.

It was designed by the Norwegian architecture studio Snøhetta facing the sea and near where the old library is supposed to have been located, with the aim of “recover the spirit of openness and erudition.”

It has 36,770 m2, eleven levels and, in the center, there is an Egyptian-style hypostyle room for reading, supported by concrete and wooden columns. The design of the main building evokes the figure of a rising sun and has Aswan granite walls, ancient inscriptions and glass panels.

He complex brings together six specialized libraries, a planetarium, four museums dedicated to manuscripts, antiquities and sciences, and art galleries. Admission to the main library, US$3 with guided tour and access to the Sadat Museum. All inclusive ticket, US$6, with access to other museums (www.bibalex.org/).

It’s fashionable and super instagrammable. The Starfield Library (Byeolmadang) in Seoul, the capital of South Korea – where a political crisis broke out this week – is inside the COEX Mall shopping center, in the Gangnam neighborhood. It occupies about 2,800 square meters on two floors, has escalators and impressive 13-meter-high shelves.

In times of social networks, many come here to take photos. As for the material it collects, there are publications – from literary to economics – and a large room in the center, with exhibitions that change.

30 km away, in Suwon, is another Starfield Libraryopened earlier this year and larger. It occupies four floors of the Starfield Suwon shopping center, has shelves up to 22 meters and a space for children.

Its design eliminates any visual barrier between floors and, at the same time, offers attractive corners: you can sit on the Grand Staircase or in corners with armchairs or small tables. Free entry (www.starfield.co.kr).

Modern, futuristic, captivatinglike something out of a science fiction movie. The Beijing Library, opening in late 2023 in Tongzhou as a branch of the Capital Library of China, is an impressive place.

Its construction was carried out by the Norwegian studio Snøhetta – the same as the new library of Alexandria – and has just been completed. receive the IFLA/Baker & Taylor award for Library of the Year 2024for “its spectacular and innovative sustainable solutions, its surprise factor and for being an impressive paradise of books for the entire community.”

Its design, inspired by nature and focused on sustainability, evokes the course of the Tonghui River and seeks linking books, people and the natural landscape of the environment.

Part of your technological imprint lies in its automated book storage and retrieval system.

Its shaped columns ginkgos (millennial tree) not only offer a great visual spectacle but are also equipped with climate control technology, lighting, acoustic control and rainwater collection.

Its stepped and curved terraces stand out for relaxing, reading or chatting, beyond the reading or conference rooms.

One more fact: it already holds a Guinness record because it has the largest reading room in the world.