7 MOST MAGNIFICENT LIBRARIES IN THE WORLD

When last did you visit a library? (please be honest about this) I asked myself that same question, and by the way, do they still even have libraries?  Out of sheer girl curiosity..#wink.., I decided to do a bit of research and I was amazed with the what I found; people like you and I still visit libraries and, believe it or not, there are some libraries around the world that would keep your jaws dropped during your entire visit that you may end up not reading any book at all! Reading and books are part of human life and what better way to express THE LOVE FOR BOOKS in art form than to build a place where books can be displayed (and read) in style. Well guys these seven libraries are some of the most spectacular, magnificent and opulent places to find and read books in the world. Happy viewing (and sight seeing), thank me later...ciao

Admont Abbey Library, Austria

The books in the abbey's original collection were re-bound in white – at enormous expense – to match the rest of the decorative scheme. The bronze sculptures are actually made from wood.

Biblioteca Joanina, Coimbra, Portugal

Portugal’s João the Magnanimous astonished the rector of the University of Coimbra by telling him that his request for help towards library facilities was too modest; the lavish result was financed with gold reserves that had been recently discovered in Brazil.

Mafra Palace Library, Portugal

Since its opening in 1771, the Mafra Palace Library has been home to a colony of tiny bats; they roost behind the cases in winter, and in the orchard outside in the summer, swooping in during the night to eat insects which would otherwise damage the books.

 

 Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris, France.

 Constructed in the mid-19th century, the Sainte-Geneviève library's iron roof has echoes of the railway buildings of the time.

Cottbus Library, Germany

Designed by the Swiss firm of Herzog & de Meuron, the Cottbus library features brightly coloured concrete spiral staircases. 

 

The Liyuan Library, Jiaojiehe, China

 Camouflaged into its surroundings, the library at Liyuan, two hours north of Beijing, has a facade of flexed twigs wedged between rusty steel rails. Inside, bookshelves are used as floor, stairs, seats and tables. ( Is this a library, na wa o. How person fit read here?)

 

National Library, Abuja, Nigeria.

The National Library of Nigeria came into effect in the mid-1960s, with the enactment of the National Library Act of 1964.

Pictures: Will Pryce