Some libraries aren’t simply locations to borrow books — they’re locations with deep historical past and structure that inform tales past the pages.
The 1000 Libraries Awards 2025 highlights a few of the most lovely libraries and bookstores globally, in keeping with 200,000 on-line voters.
The group, 1000 Libraries, started as a weblog and has since grown into a worldwide group of ebook lovers who share journey ideas and vacation spot guides, mentioned founder Vincent Phan.
“Our goal is actually to advertise libraries and bookstores from all around the globe and be sure that they’re nonetheless related in our age of web and digital know-how,” Phan instructed CNBC Journey.
Right here is the highest 10 listing of probably the most lovely libraries on the planet.
1. Dublin, Eire
Title: Library of Trinity Faculty Dublin
The Library of Trinity Faculty Dublin
scenicireland.com_ Christopher Hill Photographic by way of Alamy
The Library of Trinity Faculty Dublin is Eire’s largest library, housing hundreds of uncommon manuscripts together with the Ninth-century E-book of Kells, a lavishly-decorated, symbol-laden manuscript of 4 Gospels from the Bible’s New Testomony.
The library is famend for its Lengthy Room, a 65-meter hallway lined with 200,000 marble busts of literary figures, and fees entrance charges ranging from 19 euros ($22).
2. Adelaide, South Australia
Title: State Library of South Australia
State Library of South Australia
State Library of South Australia
The State Library of South Australia gives extra than simply books — it contains a assortment of historic board video games and is well-known for the Victorian-designed Mortlock Chamber, which dates to 1866.
The basement — as soon as a office for expert taxidermists — is a treasure trove too, housing greater than 40,000 books.
3. St. Gallen, Switzerland
Title: St. Gallen Abbey Library
St. Gallen Abbey Library
MATTES René_hemis.fr by way of Alamy
The St. Gallen Abbey Library is without doubt one of the oldest libraries on the planet and possesses an unlimited assortment of medieval manuscripts.
Situated in northeastern Switzerland, the St. Gallen Abbey was as soon as a big monastery.
“Because the eighth century till its secularisation in 1805, [it was] one of the crucial necessary cultural centres in Europe,” in keeping with UNESCO’s web site.
The location was named a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1983.
4. Oxford, United Kingdom
Title: Duke Humfrey’s Library
Duke Humfrey’s Library
IMAGO_Li Ying by way of Alamy
Duke Humfrey’s Library is a library inside a library.
It is the oldest studying room within the bigger Bodleian Library, the principle analysis library on the College of Oxford.
Books in Humfrey’s library had been as soon as chained to the bookshelves, and right this moment can solely be learn in Bodleian Library’s studying rooms, in keeping with its web site.
Duke Humfrey, the youngest son of King Henry IV, donated his assortment of 281 manuscripts to the library upon his dying in 1447. All however three had been later eliminated and destroyed through the Protestant Reformation.
5. Admont, Austria
Title: The library at Admont Monastery
Admont Monastery Library
Benediktinerstift Admont
The Admont Abbey Library is the world’s largest monastery library with a 70 meter lengthy hallway, displaying greater than 60,000 books.
A masterpiece of Baroque structure, the library options seven ceiling frescoes by the Austrian painter Bartolomeo Altomonte.
Enjoyable reality: The Benedictine monastery continues to be energetic right this moment, with monks dwelling on-site.
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cuypers Library
Tolo Balaguer by way of Alamy
The Cuypers Library is positioned inside Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, dwelling to lots of the most well-known work by Rembrandt, Vermeer and different Dutch masters.
The library is the biggest and oldest artwork historic library within the Netherlands, in keeping with the Rijksmuseum’s web site.
Guests can discover its books and neo-Gothic structure, or use accessible iPads to delve deeper into the museum’s assortment.
7. Melbourne, Australia
Title: State Library Victoria
State Library Victoria
Jui-Chi Chan by way of Alamy
The State Library Victoria is Australia’s oldest public library and one of many first free public libraries on the planet, in keeping with its web site.
Its La Trobe studying room is a six-story excessive octagonal studying room that has seating for 320 readers and cabinets for 32,000 books.
“It looks like strolling right into a cathedral… a spot the place data is sacred… and tales are worshipped,” mentioned Phan, who recalled his day of learning there as a scholar.
8. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Title: Royal Portuguese Cupboard of Studying
Actual Gabinete Portugues De Leitura
Diego Grandi by way of Alamy
Impressed by Portugal’s Sixteenth-century Jerónimos Monastery, the Royal Portuguese Cupboard of Studying holds uncommon first editions and the biggest assortment of Portuguese literature exterior of Portugal.
Past books, it’s also a Portuguese cultural hub, internet hosting occasions and actions.
9. Ulm, Germany
Title: Wiblingen Monastery Library
Wiblingen Monastery Library
BIBIKOW Walter_Hemis.fr by way of Alamy
Usually thought-about a hidden gem for its lack of crowds, the library sits within the north wing of the bigger Wiblingen Monastery, a former Benedictine monastery based in 1093.
Famend for its ornate Rococo inside, the library’s colourful gallery is marked with statues and artworks of mythological and biblical figures.
10. Paris, France
Title: Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève
Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève
Sainte-Geneviève Library
The sixth century Sainte-Geneviève Library is positioned in Paris’ bustling Latin Quarter.
The library was designed with a double-barreled roof that’s supported by a row of skinny iron columns, with lattice metalwork framing the ceiling.
“That strikes me at any time when I stroll into it, these arches are immense. They go all the way in which to the sky,” mentioned 1000 Libraries’ Phan.
The Parisian metropolis information Sortir à Paris described it as “one library in Paris that you simply completely should go to.”
Keep forward of the curve with NextBusiness 24. Discover extra tales, subscribe to our publication, and be a part of our rising group at nextbusiness24.com
