15 Most Beautiful and Impressive Libraries in the World

1. Admont Abbey Library, Austria

The name “Admont” means “at the mountains,” evoking the image of the majestic mountainous landscape surrounding the library when viewed from afar. Known as the “world’s largest monastic library,” Admont Library houses over 200,000 volumes, including 1,400 manuscripts and 900 incunabula (short stories and books printed before the year 1500), opening the door to an endless world of knowledge for anyone who visits. The ceiling is adorned with exquisite frescoes by the talented artist Bartolomeo Altomonte, along with gilded sculptures and intricate ornamental details, creating an impressive artistic space. A notable highlight of the library is the magnificent Baroque Room, which displays the most precious ancient manuscripts and books. Not only renowned as a vast library, Admont is also a place that preserves Austria’s long-standing historical and cultural values.

2. Tama Art University Library, Japan

Located in the bustling capital of Tokyo, Tama Art University Library not only boasts a unique architectural design but also provides an ideal creative space for students and visitors. Designed by the renowned architect Toyo Ito, a Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, the library is considered a stunning work of art. The study areas within the library are arranged thoughtfully, interspersed with quiet spaces to enhance focus and inspire those who use the facilities.

Surrounding the library are numerous glass panels, allowing visitors to enjoy the picturesque views outside. The curved arches seamlessly connect the interior and exterior spaces, creating an open, airy atmosphere that makes studying and working comfortable and pleasant. Additionally, the library houses a vast collection of books spanning various fields, with a modern search system that helps readers easily locate information and access an extensive digital database.

3. George Peabody Library, USA

The George Peabody Library in Baltimore (Maryland) was built in 1882 as part of the renowned Peabody Institute and was founded in the name of philanthropist George Peabody. With a desire to provide the people of Baltimore with access to knowledge, George Peabody donated an invaluable collection of books to the library, which now holds over 300,000 volumes covering history, literature, science, and the arts. Upon entering the Peabody Library, visitors are transported into a different world, where towering bookshelves blend perfectly with the architectural beauty, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The library was constructed in an impressive Romanesque Revival style, with six grand reading rooms lined along the library’s pathway, offering an ideal space for study and research. The most striking feature of the library is its main reading hall, surrounded by five stories of books, adorned with marble statues of famous writers and scholars, giving the massive building a majestic and scholarly ambiance.

Standing majestically on the eastern coast of Tianjin (China), the Tianjin Binhai Library is like a jade jewel nestled within the heart of the city, drawing the attention of visitors and hailed as a “paradise” for book lovers thanks to its unique, expansive space and massive collection of books. With its distinctive spherical architecture, the Tianjin Binhai Library spans over 33,700m², featuring bookshelves that cover the walls from floor to ceiling, as well as the inner walls. Moreover, the library is equipped with ultra-modern facilities throughout, including reading rooms, meeting rooms, and computer labs.

Every corner of the library exudes a refined beauty, from the intelligently designed reading tables to the walls adorned with meaningful quotes. With its vast size, Tianjin Binhai Library is not just a place for reading but also a venue for hosting a variety of cultural, educational, and recreational activities. Visitors can attend workshops, book exhibitions, or simply enjoy a coffee while taking in the stunning city views from the rooftop café area.

5. El Escorial Monastery Library, Spain

When thinking of Spain, we often imagine the land famous for bullfighting, renowned football teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona, and vibrant festivals. In addition, Spain is home to a wealth of natural beauty, from snow-capped majestic mountain ranges to golden, shimmering beaches and bustling metropolitan centers. Beyond this, Spain is also celebrated for the El Escorial Library, which stands grandly amidst the picturesque natural setting of the Sierra de Guadarrama. Known as a jewel of Spanish culture, it attracts visitors and scholars from all over the world.

El Escorial houses more than 40,000 rare books, including medieval manuscripts, first editions of classical works, and countless important historical documents. Visitors can find works by famous writers and poets like Cervantes, Shakespeare, and Dante, as well as numerous books on philosophy, religion, science, history, and the arts.

6. Starfield Library, South Korea

Located in an underground shopping mall in Seoul, the Starfield Library, with its capacity of 50,000 books and magazines, has become a popular check-in spot, attracting visitors to the Land of Morning Calm. Starfield is built with towering glass walls and an innovative design, offering a spacious feel while perfectly blending with its surroundings. Additionally, Starfield houses over 50,000 books, including titles in Korean, English, and other languages. For those hesitant to search for books or in need of quick information, the library provides dozens of state-of-the-art tablets pre-loaded with thousands of e-books and magazines.

7. The Royal Library of Denmark

Located in the beautiful capital of Copenhagen, Denmark, the Royal Library, Det Kongelige Bibliotek, is a renowned destination that attracts visitors and scholars from all over the world. The Royal Library was founded in 1665 by King Frederick III with the aim of preserving and safeguarding Denmark’s important historical and cultural documents. Over its more than 350-year history, the library has grown into one of the largest in Northern Europe, housing over 12 million books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and other valuable artifacts.

Upon arriving at the Royal Library of Denmark, you will undoubtedly be impressed by its unique architectural beauty. The library is designed in a polygonal shape, with a façade clad in jet-black granite, creating an irresistible mysterious allure. The main building of the library, constructed in the 18th century, is in the Baroque style, featuring towering domes, thick walls, and large windows. Inside, visitors can admire the opulent interior, which is adorned with murals, sculptures, and intricately carved wooden bookshelves.

8.The National Library of Finland

Not only known for its education, Finland is also famous for its metal music, sauna culture, Christmas villages, a pleasant climate, and breathtaking landscapes that captivate visitors. When you have the chance to visit Finland, one destination you should not miss is the National Library of Finland, located in the capital city of Helsinki. The National Library of Finland was designed by architect C.L. Engel, who also built Helsinki Cathedral. This library features a Neo-Classical style with elegant, harmonious lines, and its high domes give it a majestic and grand appearance.

Visitors can explore a vast cultural treasure trove with a wide array of content. The collection includes over 2 million books, 4 million periodicals, and millions of other documents such as maps, drawings, and photographs. Notably, the library preserves classic literary works, valuable scientific research, and many priceless materials on Finland’s history, culture, and arts.

9. Deichman Library, Norway

The library is named after Carl Deichmann, a Norwegian businessman with a passion for collecting books. Deichman Library in Norway was officially inaugurated in 2020 as part of Oslo’s Urban Renewal Project. Although it has only been in operation for four years, Deichman Library has attracted a tremendous number of visitors thanks to its unique modern architectural style featuring large transparent glass panels, creating an open, airy space filled with natural light. In 2021, Deichman was honored as the “Best Public Library in the World” by various international library associations and organizations. The library not only incorporates eco-friendly technology and materials but also serves as a versatile space for reading, working, relaxing, meeting friends, or simply enjoying a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

10. Strahov Library, Czech Republic

Located on Petřín Hill in Prague, Czech Republic, Strahov Monastery is renowned not only for its magnificent Baroque-style ceiling frescoes but also for housing priceless books on medieval literature, philosophy, religion, and history. As visitors venture deeper, they are greeted by towering, intricately carved wooden bookshelves that hold over 120,000 rare volumes, along with more than 3,000 handwritten manuscripts. Each book and manuscript carries its own story, unveiling a gateway to distant civilizations, glorious historical eras, and profound philosophical ideas.

11. Seattle Central Library, USA

Seattle Library was founded in 2004 by Professor Rem Koolhaas, an expert in architecture and urban design at the prestigious Harvard University. From the outside, the Seattle Central Library makes a striking impression with its massive structure entirely covered in green glass and crisscrossed metal frames. Inside, the spacious library is arranged thoughtfully and efficiently, with towering bookshelves lined closely together, creating an impressive maze of knowledge. Natural light floods into the library through enormous transparent glass panels, complemented by vibrant flowerbeds, giving readers the feeling of reading outdoors in a bright, green park.

Ranked among the top 150 most beloved architectural works of all time in the United States (as voted by the American Institute of Architects, AIA), the Seattle Central Library is not only visually unique on the outside but also boasts one of the most advanced information storage systems in the world.

12. Swedish Public Library

Designed by renowned Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund and established in 1928, the Swedish Public Library is a city landmark known for its unique cylindrical structure. The building stands out with its elegant lines, gently curved walls, and large windows, creating an airy and light-filled atmosphere. The library’s main hall is a round room, featuring books in all Nordic languages, with a white, cloud-like ceiling. A distinctive feature of the library is that visitors can access the bookshelves directly without needing assistance from a librarian. The Swedish Public Library houses over 2 million books, including Swedish and English titles, as well as a vast collection of manuscripts, maps, artworks, and other valuable materials.

13. Vancouver Public Library, Canada

The Vancouver Public Library, located in the Virginia Street area, is modeled after the famous architecture of the Colosseum. This library complex spans an entire city block and includes office spaces, a coffee shop, and retail stores on the ground floor. The building is covered in glass and steel, giving it an open and inviting appearance. Another captivating feature of the library is the lush rooftop garden, adding a refreshing green space to the design.

14. Bodleian Library, England

Die-hard fans of the famous Harry Potter films will undoubtedly recognize the Bodleian Library. Thanks to its grand and ancient appearance, several areas of the Bodleian Library were chosen as filming locations for scenes in the Harry Potter series. Founded in 1602 as the library of the University of Oxford, the Bodleian is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. It is home to over 11 million books, including many historically significant works, such as four copies of the Magna Carta, the Gutenberg Bible, Jane Austen’s Emma, and Shakespeare’s First Folio from 1623.

An interesting aspect of the Bodleian Library is that you are not allowed to take or borrow books or documents, as it is a reference library.

15. Stuttgart Library, Germany

The symmetry and form of the Stuttgart Library are inspired by the famous architectural design Cenotaph for Newton by Étienne Boullée, composed of light grey concrete framed by frosted glass panels. Stuttgart Library was designed by South Korean architect Eun Young Yi with a modern and unique style. The building takes the shape of a massive cube, standing 40 meters tall, and is covered with green-tinted glass, making it a striking landmark in the urban landscape.

The interior of the library is spacious and visually appealing, with books arranged throughout the space. Stuttgart Library houses over 400,000 books, including many classic works by world-renowned writers and poets, as well as countless scientific, historical, philosophical, and artistic documents.