Royal Portuguese Reading Room, Rio de Janeiro

Condé Nast TravelerSep 7

From converted monasteries to redwood forested reading rooms, the most beautiful libraries are for truly ones for the books.

Founded 1837, ornate Gothic-meets-Renaissance exterior.

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Royal Portuguese Reading RoomMuseumFounded 1837, ornate Gothic-meets-Renaissance exterior.
Elsewhere
Boston Public LibrarySightBoston, United StatesHistoric Renaissance style architecture in Back Bay.
Bibliotheca AlexandrinaMuseumAlexandria, EgyptCommemorates ancient library, cylindrical shape.
Tama Art University LibraryMuseumTokyo, JapanFirst floor follows a gentle slope, matching inclined path.
Admont Abbey LibraryMuseumAdmont, AustriaFounded 1074, built by Hayberger and Hueber.
Qatar National LibraryMuseumDoha, QatarStriking, geometric exterior, modernist impression.
Royal Library of DenmarkMuseumCopenhagen, DenmarkWaterfront extension known as the Black Diamond.
Virgilio Barco LibraryMuseumBogotá, ColombiaArchitectural symbol of the city.
Tianjin Binhai LibraryMuseumTianjin, ChinaNicknamed 'the Eye', futuristic design by MVRDV.
Mill Valley Public LibraryMuseumMill Valley, United StatesBuilt in 1966, nestled in a grove of redwood trees.
Trinity College LibraryMuseumDublin, Ireland

Royal Portuguese Reading Room