Beautiful Libraries From Around the World

Up until the digital revolution a mere decade or so ago, books were ― and at times, still are ― the gateway to knowledge an. As such,  they were respected and revered. Libraries were actually some of  the most important structures in any city. Built with love for the  precious knowledgethey guard and offer to their visitors, they truly  can be mesmerising. This photo series brings you a collection of the most stunning libraries from around the world, many of which were captured by German  photographer Candida Höfer. In addition, there are a couple of my own photos of  Bibliotheca Alexandrina taken from another 2015 photo-article,  which followed my first trip to this charming and historical coastal  city in 34 years!: Echoes From The Past — Alexandria in Photos.    On a parallel note, for cosier and much tinier versions of the  ones herein, check yet another photo-article here on One Lucky Soul: Faith in Humanity: Restored — Little Free Libraries From Around The World. Trinity College Library, Dublin ― Ireland The Duchess Anna Amalia Library in Weimar, Thuringia ― Germany   Castle Library in Detmold, Germany
Rijksmuseum Research Library, Amsterdam ― The Netherlands
Austrian National Library, Vienna ― Austria
The British Library, London ― United Kingdom
The Duchess Anna Amalia Library in Weimar, Thuringia ― Germany (2)
The Abbey Library of Saint Gall, Switzerland
The Marucelliana Library or Biblioteca Marucelliana, Florence ― Italy
La Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III, Naples ― Italy
Austrian National Library, Vienna ― Austria   Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University, Connecticut ― USA Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt by Omar Cherif Biblioteca Angelica, Rome Biblioteca Joanina, Coimbra ― Portugal Biblioteca Real Gabinete Portugues De Leitura, Rio De Janeiro ― Brazil Biblioteca Vallicelliana, Rome ― Italy Bibliothèque du Sénat, Paris ― France Bibliothèque Interuniversitaire de la Sorbonne, Paris ― France Bibliothèque Interuniversitaire de la Sorbonne, Paris ― France (2) Bibliothèque Mazarine, Paris ― France Bibliothèque Nationale De France, Paris ― France Bibliothèque Sainte Geneviève, Paris ― France BNF Site François Mitterrand, Paris ― France Boston Public Library, Boston ― USA George Peabody Library in Baltimore, Maryland ― USA Handelingenkamer Tweede Kamer Der Staten-generaal Den Haag Iii ― Netherlands St. Florian Monastery, Sankt Florian ― Austria The Admont Library, Admont ― Austria The Old Public Library Of Cincinnati, Ohio ― USA (unfortunately torn down in 1955) Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt by Omar Cherif (2) ALSO VIEW:  Echoes From The Past — Alexandria in Photos Tripping Through Dahab Art (2026) World Art Through My Lens Tripping Through Venice Beach Art More Tripping Through Venice Beach Art Photos I Shot That Brought Tears To My Eyes The Phenomenal Getty Villa in Photos   A Year at the Venice Beach Drum Circle in Photos & Videos (2014-’15) Another Year at the Vesnice Beach Drum Circle in Photos & Videos (2016-’17) One More Year at the Venice Beach Drum Circle in Photos & Videos (2017-’18) A Wacky Day Out at LA Burning Man Decompression in Photos & Video (14 October 2017) Some People I Shot More People I Shot  Some More People I Shot Some Animals I Shot Faith in Humanity: Restored — Little Free Libraries From Around The World Creative Bookshelves  Beautiful Metro Stations of Europe Swirling Spiral Staircases 1920s Egypt in Colours Early 1900s Paris in Colours Some Soulful Writing Quotes Words With Italian Origin That Are Still Used Today In Egypt