The world’s most beautiful libraries to photograph

Libraries often amount to far more than the sum of the books they contain. These inspiring institutions have existed in some form for millennia, preserving records, uniting communities and providing places of study and sanctuary to societies throughout history. From their origins as archives of stone tablets, through the knowledge accumulation of ancient civilisations, to the golden age of the 17th and 18th centuries – when many of the world’s most famous libraries were founded – these storied locations shine a light on humankind’s achievements.

Beyond their cultural clout, many are also photogenic destinations in their own right – housed in breathtaking buildings reflective of their era, adorned with lavish decor courtesy of wealthy patrons, or boasting futuristic touches that signal where society is heading next. All of which, combined with their satisfying geometric rows of books, makes them a dream for photographers. Here we round up some of the world’s most beautiful libraries, worth bookmarking for your next overseas adventure.

Royal Portuguese Reading Room, Rio de Janeiro

Often described as a “cathedral” for books, this spectacular setting is tucked away in Rio de Janeiro's bustling downtown. Completed in 1887 in a style reminiscent of Portugal’s Age of Discovery, it is the largest repository of Lusophone literature outside of Portugal, housing 350,000 volumes and rare first editions from the likes of Camões, Fernando Pessoa and José Saramago. Step inside its soaring four-storey atrium to witness the full drama of its design, where a labyrinth of intricately carved wooden bookshelves, marble statues and staircases is crowned by a vast iron chandelier and a stained-glass skylight.

realgabinete.com.br

Tama Art University Library, Tokyo

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Toyo Ito and completed in 2007, this serene minimalist marvel in the suburbs of Tokyo houses more than 150,000 books, with a focus on art, design and visual culture. Defined by a series of elegant concrete arches, glass walls and pared-back furniture, its open, flowing spaces are intersected by neat rows of books and work desks, while additional curved elements seamlessly integrate the indoor and outdoor areas. A masterful meeting point of form and function, its clean lines and light-filled nooks make it a favourite among photographers and architecture enthusiasts alike.

libopac.tamabi.ac.jp/drupal

Admont Monastery Library, Austria

A whimsical fantasy lifted straight from a fairytale, this monastic library in the Austrian town of Admont is a jaw-dropping Baroque masterpiece. Said to have inspired the library in Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, a stunning series of frescoes plays out across its ceiling, depicting key aspects of human knowledge – from divine revelation to science and philosophy. Elsewhere, a lavish white and gold interior hosts elaborate wooden sculptures, hidden doors and around 70,000 volumes, including a wealth of medieval manuscripts and early printed books that make it a vital archive of European cultural heritage.

stiftadmont.at/oeffnungszeiten

Tianjin Binhai Library, China

One of the world’s most photogenic libraries opened its doors in the Chinese city of Tianjin in 2017, swiftly becoming a viral sensation that drew 10,000 visitors a day. Nicknamed The Eye, it earned this acclaim thanks to its extravagant futuristic design, courtesy of Dutch architects MVRDV, which centres around a vast luminous sphere. Spanning five storeys, its astonishing floor-to-ceiling terraced bookshelves are said to be able to hold 1.2 million books. Although many of the upper tiers are filled with mocked-up covers rather than real volumes, it hasn’t stopped this larger-than-life library becoming one of Tianjin’s top attractions.

Royal Library of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain

Set amid the mountains and pine forests west of Madrid, El Escorial is the world’s largest Renaissance building. Commissioned by King Philip II of Spain in the late 16th century, this vast Unesco World Heritage Site houses a palace, basilica, monastery and mausoleum – as well as an awe-inspiring library. Located in a 55-metre-long barrel-vaulted chamber, its lavish ceiling features seven frescoes depicting the liberal arts, which overlook a vast number of weighty tomes, as well as an artfully curated selection of globes, maps, scientific instruments and medals – making it a worthy day trip from the Spanish capital.

el-escorial.com

Royal Library of Denmark, Copenhagen

Denmark’s national library is a true tale of two halves. Occupying an imposing spot on the island of Slotsholmen in Copenhagen’s harbour, its original building – dating back to 1906 and accessible via an elevated bridge – was given a dramatic transformation in 1999 thanks to an angular extension that’s been dubbed the Black Diamond. Looming large over the waterfront and fashioned from black granite, this impressive landmark forms a striking setting for Scandinavia’s largest library, which includes Denmark’s oldest known book and a vast collection of European literature. Capture it at its best during golden hour, when its glossy black facade is bathed in softer, warmer light.

kb.dk

Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt

Another library with a dramatic story of renewal stands carved from granite on the seafront in Egypt’s second city. Situated close to the original site of the Library of Alexandria – built in the 3rd century BCE and the most famous library of the ancient world – this ambitious replacement opened in 2002, aiming to replicate its significant cultural resonance. Designed by Norway’s Snøhetta and shaped like a tilted sun disk, featuring carved pictograms, hieroglyphs and symbols, this striking facade conceals shelf space for eight million books in a cavernous reading room, as well as a planetarium, manuscript restoration laboratory and four impressive museums charting the evolution of ancient Egypt.

bibex.org

Bodleian Library, Oxford, England

Step back in time in the City of Spires with a tour of Oxford University’s Bodleian Library – a heavyweight intellectual institution that, dating back to the 12th century, ranks among the world’s oldest libraries. A mighty list of monarchs, prime ministers and writers – including Oscar Wilde, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien – have passed through its doors as scholars, and the storied shelves of this compelling Gothic complex are home to a collection of more than 12 million printed items, including the first edition of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and Jane Austen’s Emma. Be sure to book tickets in advance and don’t miss the photogenic domed form of the Radcliffe Camera, as well as the Duke Humfrey’s Library and the Divinity School, both of which appeared on screen as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter film series.

bodleian.ox.ac.uk

The Morgan Library & Museum, New York

This grand Gilded Age repository on Madison Avenue was built at the turn of the 20th century by wealthy financier JP Morgan as a space to house his incredible collection of literature and art. Among its picture-perfect nooks and elaborately decorated shelves, standout tomes include three Gutenberg Bibles, medieval and Renaissance-era manuscripts, and first editions of literary landmarks, including Milton’s Paradise Lost and Shelley’s Frankenstein. Not to mention original Mozart scores and drawings and prints from Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt.

themorgan.org

Piccolomini Library, Siena

The Tuscan city of Siena is a photographer’s dream, with its wealth of medieval and Gothic landmarks and endlessly picturesque street scenes. Yet a Renaissance-era gem lies within the walls of the city’s Duomo. What the Piccolomini Library lacks in size compared to others, it makes up for in aesthetic impact, thanks to vivid ceiling frescoes depicting events in the life of Pope Pius II, painted by the artist Pinturicchio and his workshop between 1503 and 1508. Beneath them, expect marble floors, gilded bookshelves and a trio of statues known as the Tre Grazie. Although very few of the library’s incredibly rare manuscripts and choral tomes remain on display, this library endures as one of the world’s most beautiful seats of learning.

operaduomo.siena.it