Jorge Luis Borges once said, “I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” Here at Mindful Puzzles we agree – luckily you can find paradise on Earth with these amazing libraries around the world.
THE OLD LIBRARY AT TRINITY COLLEGE – DUBLIN (pictured above)
Considered a must-see on the itinerary of all Dublin visitors and located in the heart of Dublin City, a walk through the cobbled stones of Trinity College Dublin will lead to the magnificent Old Library. Inside is housed the Book of Kells – a 9th century gospel manuscript famous throughout the world. Continue to the Long Room which houses 200,000 of the library’s oldest books, one of the few remaining copies of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic, and marble busts which line the room, a collection that began in 1743.
FLORIAN MONASTERY – AUSTRIA
The Abbey of St Florian, patron saint of firefighters, is located in Sankt Florian and is one of the oldest operating monasteries in the world, having been founded in the year 1071. A stunning example of Baroque architecture, the Abbey’s library contains 140,000 books and manuscripts, arresting ceiling frescoes by Bartolomeo Altomonte, and the Imperial Apartments – plush rooms in which emperors, empresses and at least one pope have stayed in. The perfect destination for book and history buffs alike.
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC – PRAGUE
The National Library of the Czech Republic, located in the complex of Clementinum (‘Klementinum’ in Czech) is the central library of the country and its book-stock preserves all books, manuscripts, and other publications issued in the Bohemian land since 1807 as well as much older documents including Greek papyri from the 1st century. The stunning, baroque library hall was built in 1722 and is decorated with science and art themed fresco paintings. In the centre of the hall you will find an incredible collection of globes, created by the Jesuits.
NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENS MERTZ LIBRARY – USA
Tucked away in the grounds of the New York Botanical Garden lies a hidden treasure: the Mertz Library holds one of the world’s largest collections of books about plants. Founded in 1899, it’s located in the Bronx Garden and while you need to be a member to check out books, the library itself is open to the public. Here you can leaf through Darwin’s journals, vintage seed catalogs, even some vintage ads for garden gnomes. After travelling the gardens themselves, the Mertz Library offers 550,000 volumes, each a curiosity waiting to be explored.
THE UNIVERSITY OF AL-QARAWIYYIN LIBRARY – FEZ, MOROCCO
Founded by Fatima El-Fihriya in 1359 and now restored by Aziza Chaouni, the world’s oldest continually operating library is now open to the public thanks to these two determined women. Containing religious texts as well as works on mathematics and science, the exquisite building not only holds a priceless collection of 4,000 items but offers beautiful fountains and stunning white-columned passageways for visitors to explore. Few places in the world offer such a close encounter with humanity’s dedication to knowledge.
CENTRAL LIBRARY AT VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY – CANADA
Located in Library Square which occupies a full city block, is Vancouver’s Central Library. The nine-storey rectangular building is surrounded by a free-standing elliptical, colonnaded wall which features reading areas and bridges that span the skylit light wells. There’s also a rooftop garden that was designed by landscape architect Cornelia Oberlander, and an internal concourse with shops and restaurants. Most importantly it houses a vast collection of books and is dedicated to remaining a free public space, accessible to all who visit its doors.
GEORGE PEABODY LIBRARY – BALTIMORE
Described as a ‘Cathedral of Books’, the George Peabody Library of Baltimore is the research library of John Hopkins University. Visually stunning, the roof holds a massive skylight high above six storeys of cast-iron balconies. Each level has gold-scalloped columns bookmarking tightly packed book stacks. There’s no wonder why this library is regarded as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. It contains 300,000 books dating from the Renaissance to the 19th century. George Peabody Library is not only beautiful but a functional public space for the citizens of Baltimore.
