Old is Gold: The world’s most beautiful historical libraries

Sarah Khan 07 Sep 2017 updated the 21 September 2017 à 15:26

1/8
George Peabody Library (Baltimore, US)
The George Peabody Library in John Hopkins University constantly tops the list of the world’s most breathtaking college libraries - and it’s not hard to see why. Its Peabody Stack Room’s cavernous five-tier atrium, for one, features elegant wrought-iron balconies and columns so graceful that its very first provost, Nathaniel H. Morison, fittingly dubbed it a “cathedral of books”. In fact, its setting is truly stunning that is has evolved to be a popular venue for weddings and special events. Bibliophiles will get to not only appreciate its design and architecture, but browse the collection of 18th- and 19th century volumes of archaeology, and British and American history and literature.
2/8
Austrian National Library (Vienna, Austria)
The Austrian National Library, located within the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, is the largest library in Austria, boasting 7.4 million items across its various collections. Its lush interior seems fit for royalty, which is fitting considering it served as the palace library until 1920 when it become a possession of the state. An interesting feature of the library? A statue of the Roman goddess of wisdom Minerva dating from 1723 which looms over the magnificent baroque library, and the Globe Museum which features terrestrial and celestial globes made before 1850.
3/8
Coimbra Library, University of Coimbra (Alta and Sofia, Portugal)
Stepping into the Coimbra Library in the University of Coimbra proves to be a visually arresting experience. There is so much to take in with its exotic carved wood furnishings, intricate arches, ornate furnishings and magnificent architecture. Be sure to look up to the ceiling for art by Antonio Simoes Ribeiro and Vicente Nunes, and keep your eyes peeled for the surprising Chinese motifs on the gilded and lacquered wooden bookshelves.

And yes - beautiful things have its dark side too. The Coimbra Library is perhaps the only library in the world with its own prison (called the 'Academic Prison') where scholars and students were once confined. To eliminate the pests that feed on the precious manuscripts, a small colony of resident bats actually emerge each night behind a painting.
4/8
Clementinum, Prague
The Clementinum (Klementinum) in Czech is a historic complex of buildings in Prague which until recently, hosted a few libraries. The Baroque library hall (pictured above), which first opened in 1622 as part of the Jesuit university based in Klementinum, is just one building in the vast complex. The library houses over 20,000 volumes of largely foreign theological literature. In fact, to identify which books have been in the library since the time of the Jesuits, simply look out for the volumes with white painted spines and red marks. The library runs daily tours for visitors looking to explore the complex and learn its history.
5/8
Connemara Public Library (Chennai, India)
The Connemara Public Library, which is part of a cultural complex that includes a theatre, museum and art gallery, was established in 1896. The library continues to receive copies of all books, periodicals and newspapers published in India. The majestic building, designed by H. Irvin (the consulting architect to the ruling government then), features a circular entrance that opens into a stately reading room with elaborately decorated ceilings, stained glass windows and teak balconies.
6/8
The Library of El Escorial (Spain)
The library of El Escorial is located in the Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, which is the historical residence of the king of Spain. King Phillip II was responsible for adding the library and the bulk of the volumes it originally held. Featuring vaulted ceilings painted with gorgeous frescoes, each representing one of the seven liberal arts, you can't refute the beauty and significance of this library. Today, the library is a World Heritage Site and holds over 40,000 books.
7/8
Abbey Library of St. Gallen (Switzerland)
Not only is the Abbey Library of St. Gallen the oldest library in Switzerland, it is also one of the oldest and most important monastery libraries in the world, holding over 160,000 volumes that date as far back as the 8th century. Often deemed as one of the most stunning libraries in the world (and rightfully so), the Rococo-styled library has earned the Abbey its status as a World Heritage Site.
8/8
Bodleian Library (Oxford, England)
Now, if you love your libraries that look like something out of Harry Potter, the medieval reading room at Oxford University's Bodleian library will be up your alley. The magnificent library boasts of a prolific list of kings and Nobel Prize winners who have studied beneath its intricate wood-paneled ceiling. Its collection includes beautiful rare maps, a Shakespeare First Folio, as well as a copy of the Gutenberg Bible.

Bibliophiles, take note.

You know that scene in Beauty and the Beast – when the Beast surprises a blindfolded Belle with a cavernous library? Yes, that scene. (We’re pretty sure we’re not the only ones who truly resonated with that scene as a child.) If you could quantify Belle’s pure joy as she takes in the sky-high ceilings and seemingly infinite shelves of books, that is exactly how we feel about libraries.

At least, the really vintage-looking, gilded, frescoed ones that look straight out of a Harry Potter film, anyway.

It’s hard to put a finger on what it is about libraries that makes them so awe-inspiring. Is it the fact that you’re cocooned within volumes of novels stacked on shelves? Maybe. Is it that oddly comforting smell of old paperbacks? Perhaps. In light of our fascination with stunning libraries, we’ve done the footwork to establish the world’s 8 most beautiful vintage libraries.

Make no mistake – despite its grandeur and unparalleled architecture, these libraries are historically symbolic as well. Prague’s Clementinum Library, for one, was built as far back as 1622 and even carries a collection of books from the time of the Jesuits. And then of course, there’s the iconic Bodleian Library in Oxford University that has seen an impressive and prolific list of kings and Nobel Prize winners studying beneath its intricate ceilings.

Browse our gallery above for the world’s most beautiful historical libraries that are most certainly worth a visit in your lifetime.

Sarah Khan

Photos: Getty Images

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