ABBEY
LIBRARY
ST. GALLEN,
SWITZERLAND
When witnessing the
grandeur and beauty of Switzerland’s Abbey Library, it’s hard to remember its actual function. Although this
monastery library is more than two centuries old — the oldest library in the country, having been built
between 1758 and 1767 — it still offers book borrowing as a public service. Declared a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO, the library houses 170,000 books alongside other media, including adorned Irish manuscripts, original
parchments dating back 1,000 years and a rare collection of handwriting from the early Middle Ages. The
Abbey’s Baroque hall (pictured) has a rich Rococo design, making the thought of picking up a book the last
thing on your mind.
» stiftsbibliothek.ch
OLD LIBRARY,
TRINITY COLLEGE
DUBLIN,
IRELAND
Built in the 18th century,
the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin is home to the Book of Kells, a world-renowned Gospel manuscript
that dates back to the ninth century. Comprising the four Gospels written in Latin and based on a Vulgate
text, the Book of Kells has been on display since the mid-19th century, attracting more than 500,000 visitors
annually. Of the library’s extravagant features, the Long Room (pictured) — the Old Library’s main chamber —
is the most inspiring. Built between 1712 and 1732, the room originally shelved books exclusively on its
lower level, which by the 1850s became filled to capacity, leading to the construction of the barrel- vaulted
ceiling and upper gallery bookcases. It also houses one of the only remaining copies of the Proclamation of
the Irish Republic from 1916, as well as “the model for the emblem of Ireland” — an oak and willow harp, from
the 15th century.
» tcd.ie/library
THE GEORGE
PEABODY LIBRARY, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
BALTIMORE,
MARYLAND
With its stately aura and
stunning architectural ironwork, it’s no surprise that Baltimore’s George Peabody Library doubles as a
sought-after event space. The library building opened in 1878 — part of the Peabody Institute founded by the
eponymous entrepreneur and philanthropist — and now has a collection of more than 300,000 titles dating
mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries. The works cover a vast range of subjects including archaeology,
British and American history, Romance languages and literature, Greek and Latin classics, and exploration and
travel, complemented by an extensive map collection. More than a place of scholarship, however, the Peabody
also hosts a range of occasions from intimate luncheons to grand weddings. In the outer Exhibit Room, guests
can gather for pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres among display cases holding manuscripts and
illustrated texts. The adjoining Stack Room (pictured) is undoubtedly the main attraction. Featuring a
black-and-white marble floor, multiple tiers of elegant cast-iron balconies and columns, and classical
embellishments with gold- leaf flourishes — all stretching 61 feet up to a massive skylight — the Neo-Grec
space is a beautiful, strikingly symmetrical vision that more than fulfils its reputation as “a cathedral of
books.” Events are held at the library all year around, including an annual Fall Concert Series featuring
folk, jazz and classical programs.
» peabodyevents.library.jhu.edu
BOSTON PUBLIC
LIBRARY
BOSTON,
MASSACHUSETTS
Established in 1848, the
Boston Public Library (BPL) was regarded by architect Charles Follen McKim as “his palace for the people.”
Not your average public library, the BPL was the United States’ first large-scale, free municipal library.
With a total of 26 branch libraries, and altogether holding 6.1 million books, 1.2 million rare books and
manuscripts, and countless maps, among other materials, it’s no wonder the Boston Public Library receives
over 2.2 million visitors annually.
Home to a few of William
Shakespeare’s first-edition folios, as well as original music compositions by Mozart, this fantastic library
serves as an urban mecca of classical works, as well as an institution for independent
learning.
Bates Hall (pictured) is
one of the BPL’s better-known treasures. Regarded as one of the world’s most significant rooms from an
architectural point of view, Bates Hall displays a majestic barrel-arched ceiling, which is beautifully
enclosed by a half-dome on either end. English oak bookcases along with busts of distinguished authors — as
well as well-known locals — and a delicately carved limestone balcony complete the elegant Hall, which was
named after an affluent Londoner who donated $50,000 to the library in 1852 to help increase its literary
inventory.
Today, there is a vigorous
program of events including lectures and discussions with authors. The library is also exhibiting historic
manuscripts in commemoration of the American Civil War 150 years ago.
» bpl.org
REAL GABINETE
PORTUGUÊS DE LEITURA
RIO DE JANIERO,
BRAZIL
The Real Gabinete
Português de Leitura is a spectacular embodiment of Brazil’s historical ties to the Portuguese empire. The
library dates back to 1837, when a group of Portuguese immigrants founded the institution to encourage
culture among their community in Rio de Janeiro. The building itself was constructed between 1880 and 1887,
using stone lioz shipped from Lisbon for the façade and evoking both in its exterior and interior the
intricately ornamented, Gothic-Renaissance architectural style known as Manueline, which flourished during
the period of Portugal’s voyages of discovery. Inside, the reading room (pictured) is illuminated by an
elaborate chandelier and by natural light streaming in through the red, white and blue stained-glass
skylight. The library contains over 350,000 works, the largest collection of Portuguese literature outside of
Portugal.
» realgabinete.com.br •
Photo Courtesy: The Abbey
Library
