The reading room at the Boston Public Library features a vaulted ceiling approximately 15 meters high - Photo: BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Amidst the wave of searching for a "third space" outside of home and office, famous libraries around the world have become popular destinations for tourists to admire the architecture, take photos, and enjoy moments of tranquility in the midst of the city.
Admont Abbey Library, Austria
Inspired by the Royal Library in Vienna, the building boasts an architectural beauty straight out of a fairy tale.
Beneath the magnificent Baroque vaulted ceilings adorned with frescoes and exquisite gilded trim, visitors can easily imagine themselves as royalty strolling through the grand halls of the opulent palace—home to approximately 200,000 books.
According to Parametric Architecture, the site houses over 1,400 medieval manuscripts, some dating back to the 8th century, along with more than 900 early printed books (before 1500).
The spiral staircase and secret doors hidden behind rows of white bookshelves with gold trim further enhance the space's allure.
Architecture of the Admont Abbey Library - Photo: BENEDIKTINERSTIFT ADMONT
The library ceiling features impressive murals revolving around the idea of the path of human knowledge - Photo: BENEDIKTINERSTIFT ADMONT
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (New York Public Library), USA
According to Travel Leisure , the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, part of the New York Public Library, frequently appears in travel photos and has been chosen as a setting for dozens of films. Therefore, many people may have encountered images of this building even without ever having visited New York.
Although the New York Public Library has many branches, the Stephen A. Schwarzman building is still known as its main headquarters.
Located on Fifth Avenue, next to Bryant Park, the building is famous for its intricately carved marble facade and the majestic lion statues at the foot of the steps.
Just before the entrance are two stone lion statues, created by sculptor Edward C. Potter and placed here since 1911 - Photo: PLENTY OF ROADS
The Rose Main Reading Room is the central, famous, and most magnificent reading room of the New York Public Library - Photo: MAX TOUHEY
Starfield Library, South Korea
Seoul's official tourism website describes Starfield Library as an open public space where people can come to relax, read, and use the facilities free of charge.
Located in the heart of the underground COEX Mall, the library spans approximately 2,800 square meters and is notable for its 13-meter-high bookshelves. The library currently houses around 70,000 books covering various fields, along with approximately 600 domestic and international journals.
The building's design concept is to combine shopping and culture, integrating books, culture, and art into the commercial space. - Photo: SEOUL METROPOLITIAN GOVERNMENT
The highlight of the library is its three enormous bookshelves, each 13 meters tall - Photo: SEOUL METROPOLITIAN GOVERNMENT
Tianjin Binhai Library, China
Nicknamed "The Eye" due to its spherical central auditorium, the Tianjin Binhai Library embodies a futuristic style – an art, architecture, and fashion movement that emphasizes technology, machinery, and a forward-looking vision.
The bookshelves stretch from floor to ceiling, holding over a million books, filling the entire space. However, the highest shelves are actually out of reach. They are clad in perforated aluminum panels printed with book spine patterns, creating the illusion of an infinitely vast intellectual space.
Netizens have dubbed it "the most beautiful library in China," quickly making it the most popular tourist attraction in Tianjin. - Photo: OSSIP VAN DUIVENBODE
The undulating curves surrounding the sphere house countless bookshelves. These also serve as steps and seating, forming a giant "mountain of books" - Photo: OSSIP VAN DUIVENBODE