Beautiful libraries are all around the world, from Portugal to Japan. To honour World Book Day on 23 April, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) took to Instagram and listed some of the charming libraries found in its World Heritage Sites.
1. Joanina Library, Portugal
Completed in 1728, the Joanina Library is in Coimbra. It’s renowned for its opulent Baroque architecture, featuring gilded woodwork and intricate frescoes.
And who knew that bats would be welcome in a library? That’s the case at the Joanina Library. Its resident colony of bats help protect its rare books by consuming insects that could damage the manuscripts!
Take a look inside the Joanina Library, and the others listed by UNESCO, here.
2. Abbey Library of St Gall, Switzerland
The Abbey Library is one of the oldest and richest in the world, preserving invaluable manuscripts, including the earliest known architectural plan on parchment.
With its shining wood panels and gilded ceilings, it’s no wonder UNESCO rates it among the most beautiful libraries in the world.
3. Palafoxiana Library, Mexico
Established in 1646, Palafoxiana Library is the oldest public library in the Americas. Inside, the building houses an astonishing collection of over 40 000 books!
The architectural showpiece among all those volumes is a golden wall framing a picture of the Virgin Mary. That’s a reference to the library’s origins. It was established when Catholic bishop Juan de Palafox y Mendoza donated his private library of 5000 books to a religious institution.
4. Strahov Monastery Library, Czech Republic
In the pretty city of Prague is another of the world’s most beautiful libraries. Like other historic institutions, it has a religious association and is located within a monastery.
The library’s Theological Hall boasts a ceiling adorned with frescoes depicting the history of the world. On the other hand, the Philosophical Hall is renowned for its impressive collection of philosophical manuscripts and its stunning Rococo architecture.
5. Biblioteca Laurenziana, Italy
The Italian city of Florence is famous for its contribution to the Renaissance. So it’s no wonder its streets host one of the world’s most breathtaking libraries.
Biblioteca Laurenziana was designed by none other than the legendary Michelangelo. His design includes visual effects that visitors describe as unsettling. For example, the vestibule staircase appears almost to wobble.
6. Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, South Korea
Inside the Temple of Haeinsa in South Korea is a unique find. The religious complex is home to the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures.
This remarkable set of works was engraved on 80 000 woodblocks between 1237 and 1248.
Janggyeong Panjeon was built especially to house and preserve these woodblocks.
7. Monastery of El Escorial Library, Spain
In the late 1500s, King Philip II commissioned the Monastery of El Escorial Library in Madrid. UNESCO now considers it to be one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. It houses the royal collection of books and manuscripts.
Its vast collection and decadent design reflect Spain’s intellectual aspirations during the Renaissance. Think long galleries and arched ceilings painted with colourful frescoes.
Take a look inside the Monastery of El Escorial Library, and the others listed by UNESCO, here.
What about the most beautiful library in Africa?
Sadly, UNESCO’s Instagram list of the world’s most beautiful libraries doesn’t include an African one. Timbuktu is one African UNESCO World Heritage Site that featured a library. However, the Timbuktu library in Mali was destroyed by jihadist militants in 2013.
Fortunately, the majority of the manuscripts were safely smuggled out. They’re available digitally on Google Arts & Culture and via the University of Cape Town’s Tombouctou Manuscripts Project.
Therefore, our eighth beautiful library is the Al-Qarawiyyin Library. Located in the ancient Moroccan city of Fez, the Al-Qarawiyyin was founded in 852. That makes it the oldest working library in the world. Built around a mosaiced courtyard, the library’s interior boasts intricate decorative woodwork. Some of its treasured books date back 12 centuries.
Which of these beautiful libraries around the world do you want to visit?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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