Overview:

You don't have to be a book-lover or a history buff to visit these stunning libraries listed below. Not only do they hold books, but they also showcase treasured artifacts, innovative exhibits and breathtaking modern and ancient masterpieces of architecture. So, without further adieu, let's take a look at some of the most stunning libraries around the world!

1. The Black Diamond - The Royal Danish Library, Copenhagen

Built in 1999, this masterpiece defied all traditional architectural designs of its time. The designer, Schmidt Hammer Lassen, created not only a building but also an ambient encounter. The interior features glass walkways with reading rooms lit by the skylights which overlook the main atrium. The exterior, a contrast from the lit interior, is made of dark granite walls overlooking the harbor. At night, the glass walls of the building allude to a floating building on the harbor.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Copenhagen Airport CPH, the nearest bus station is Det Kongelige Bibliotek (Christians Brygge) and a 9-minute walk from Gammel Strand train station

Hotels/Resorts: Copenhagen Hotels and Hostels

2. Trinity College Old Library, Dublin

This historic library houses Irish treasures; the medieval Brian Boru Harp, once owned by King Brian Boru and the Book of Kells which holds the 4 gospels of the New Testament in Latin. Upon entering, the library opens up into the Long Room lined with tall wooden shelves with over 200,00 books on them. The vaulted ceiling, made with dark brown curved wooden beams, draws the visitor’s eye upward to the grandiose tall shelves which touch the arched ceiling.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Dublin Airport, Take the 128 Dublin Bus from the Connolly Luas stop to Nassau Street

Hotels/Resorts: Dublin Hotels and Hostels

3. Musashino Art University Museum and Library, Tokyo

This spectacular masterpiece is made up entirely of bookshelves encased in glass walls. The designer, Fujimoto, focused on what he believed constitutes a library: bookshelves, light and beautiful spaces. Built in a spiral formation, the walkways are carved between the bookshelves, almost like a maze of books for visitors to browse along the way. With this unique layout, his vision was to provide easy access to well-loved books as well as an invitation to browse new books along the way.

How to Reach: Take the Narita Express train from Narita Airport Narita Airport (New Tokyo International Airport) either to JR Tokyo station (60min.) or JR Shinjuku station (90min.).Transfer either at Tokyo or Shinjuku to the JR Chuo Line and get off at Kokubunji (45 min. from Tokyo and 30 min. from Shinjuku by rapid service). Walk to the Seibu Bus Stop at Kokubunji-eki Kita-iriguchi from the Kokubunji Station North Exit (3 min. on foot) Or take a Seibu bus bound for Musashino Art University terminal or Kodaira Eigyo-sho and get off at Musashino Art University (20min.).

Hotels/Resorts: Tokyo Hotels and Hostels

4. Municipal Library of Prague

If you are visiting Prague be sure to take a short walk from the Maestro square to this beautiful library and experience what it holds. Upon entering the main foyer you will be met by the Tower of Books, made up of 8,000 strategically stacked books. Mirrors give the illusion of a tunnel of infinite books spiraling above and below. Artist Matej Kren named this creation “Idiom” with the vision of books joined together in an effort to transmit knowledge. Visitors can gaze inside at the tunnel of books and are permitted to take pictures in the exhibit. ( Be sure to tag us in your Instagram pictures from your visit!)

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Prague Ruzyne, the nearest train station is Náměstí Míru

Hotels/Resorts: Prague Hotels and Hostels

5. Vennesla Library and Cultural Centre, Norway

Unlike any other library, architects Helen and Hard designed the seating, bookshelves, and lighting as one unit. They flow together with light-colored wooden beams spanning from the ceiling to floor. Also designed to be eco-friendly and cost-efficient natural light filters between the wooden beams and is used to illuminate the room. Blue cushioned benches are set in spaces carved out of the wood beams along the walls for visitors to sit and read.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Kristiansand and 2.1 km from Vennesla Train station Kristiansand

Hotels/Resorts: Kristiansand Hotels and Hostels

6. Rampur Raza Library, India

Once the mansion of Nawab Hamid Ali Khan in the 1900s, this brightly colored regal palace has now been converted into a library. It houses many Asian and Islamic scripts and artifacts including Islamic calligraphy, paintings, and ancient tools from astronomers. It also holds the first translation of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. In addition, many rare manuscripts written in Hindu, Turkish, Urdu, Sanskrit and Arabic are preserved here.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Dehradun and is well connected by railways from New Delhi (200km) and 30 km from Moradabad City

Hotels/Resorts: Dehradun Hotels and Hostels
Delhi Hotels and Hostels

7. Stuttgart City Library, Germany

From the outside, this building appears to be a drab gray cube, however, this is no reflection of what lies inside. The plain white futuristic interior has 7 floors of books and a cafe on the top floor. The middle of the building is an open space, while the bookshelves along the walls are lined with walkways and white staircases connecting each floor. Visitors can also see breathtaking city views from the rooftop. The clean white interior offers a tranquil haven for book lovers to browse books, sit and read, or enjoy a bite to eat at the cafe on the 8th floor.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is Friedrichshafen, Germany (FDH) Bodensee (192km) and is in walking distance from the Stadtbibliothek (Handwerkskammer) train station

Hotels/Resorts: Friedrichshafen Hotels and Hostels

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