10 most beautiful libraries in the world

Strahov Monastery Library, Prague Established between 1671 and 1674, this library is one of the oldest and best-preserved historical libraries in the world. As many as 2,00,000 volumes are collected here.

Stuttgart City Library, Germany This appears like a perfect cube from the exterior, but it is actually in the shape of an inverted pyramid. It was designed by Yi Architects, which intended to combine tradition with innovation.

Library of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain Established by Phillip II, this library is a pristine example of Renaissance architecture. Today, the monastery and its surroundings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Trinity College Library, Ireland The Long Room, which is part of the Old Library at Trinity College, houses 2,00,000 old books. The college was granted a free copy of every book published in Britain and Ireland.

Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, Brazil The library was established in 1837 by a group of 43 Portuguese immigrants and political refugees to promote their culture. The library was designed by architect Rafael da Silva e Castro.

Strahov Monastery Library, Prague Located in Rampur, the halls are full of books, paintings, historical documents, and manuscripts of significant national importance. It was established by Nawab Faizullah Khan in 1774 and designed by architect W.C. Wright. Raza Library, India

Morgan Library and Museum, New York City This library contains the private book collection of financier JP Morgan. It is worth the hype, with gold decorations, fresco-covered ceilings, and three floors of bookshelves.

Central Public Library Branch, Seattle Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the glass-and-steel edifice stands 11 stories tall.

Bodleian Library, Oxford Oxford University’s Bodleian Library is one of the most celebrated in Europe. It is home to close to 13 million printed items. This is the earliest example of a circular library in England.

Tama Art University Library in Japan Although much more recent than the other libraries, this one is minimalist yet breathtaking. The first floor features an open gallery space for various art exhibitions.

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