Nowadays, accessing books is not difficult. Many books are available for free or paid in e-book version . It seems that physically reading books is no longer the main option.
But did you know that there are libraries that still stand in this modern era and have existed for centuries before that. These libraries have amazing buildings.
Below, there are 11 most valuable public libraries in the world. Collectively housing millions of book volumes, the buildings contain a majesty that you can’t find in an app on your smartphone.
1. Saint Catherine’s Cathedral
This library has existed since the 6th century, founded by Justinian I and is located on the Sinai Peninsula. This library is part of world history because it has the second largest collection of scrolls and early manuscripts in the world. And has a total of 3,300 books in Greek, Arabic, Syriac, Georgian and Slavic.
In 2002, UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site. This library was closed for three years due to restoration work and was reopened in 2017.
2. Khizanat Al Qarawiyyin
Al Qarawiyyin is the oldest library in the world and a university in Fez, Morocco. This library, which has 4,000 rare texts and ancient Arabic manuscripts, was built by a Muslim woman named Fatima al Fihria. It has been under restoration for three years, and reopened in 2016.
3. The Power Pavilion Library
The Tianyi Pavilion Library is the third oldest private library in the world founded in 1561 in the Ming Dynasty by Fan Qin, and it is open to the public. It has 300,000 ancient records and 80,000 extremely rare texts.
4. Royal Library of the El Escorial Monastery
El Escorial operates as a monastery, kingdom, palace, pantheon, library, museum, university, school and hospital located in the City of San Lorenzo de Escorial which was built at the end of the 16th century. El Escorial has a total of 40,000 books and around 2,700 manuscripts.
Became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the historic residence of the Kings of Spain because it was created as a monument to the Spanish kings.
5. Trinity College Library
The largest library in Ireland is an academic library which has 5 million books, which are provided for students. Founded in 1592, the library has legal deposits holding copies of every book printed in Ireland and England. And for Trinity alumni, they are given access to the library after graduation.
6. Palafoxian Library
The Biblioteca Palafoxiana Library was the first public library in Mexico, founded in 1646 by Juan de Palafox y Mendoza. Has 45,000 rare books and manuscripts. It is historic because it is the oldest library in America and UNESCO made it a ” Memory of the World ” site.
7. The Clementinum Library Hall
The Clementinum Library was founded in the early 16th century during the Jesuit era. In 1777, Maria Theresa declared this library to be the Public and University Library. The library holds more than 20,000 books, and rare books are provided to Google and are available online.
8. Raza Library
This library, located in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India, has 17,000 manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Pashto, Sanskrit, Urdu, Hindi and Turkish and there are 80,000 additional books. Historical because it is one of the oldest and most historic libraries in South Asia. Built in the late 18th century, this library is from the personal collection of Nawab Faizullah Khan.
9. Admont Abbey Library
The Stiftsbibliothek Admont located in Austria has 70,000 book volumes, of which 1,400 are very valuable manuscripts from the 8th century, and 530 are books printed before 1500.
This library is the largest historic monastery library in the world, built by Josef Hueber. The good news is that visitors who come can explore the library without a guide, so they can have more freedom.
10. Royal Portuguese Reading Cabinet
Located on Luís de Camões Street, in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this library is on the list of the Cultural Heritage Institute for having 350,000 books from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. It was inaugurated by Princess Isabel in 1887. The library received a copy of every works published in Portuguese.
11. State Library of New South Wales
The State Library of New South Wales is the oldest library in Australia and the first public library in New South Wales. Home to more than 5 million book items in its collection. His books document the heritage of Australia and Oceania.
Maybe you have the intention to visit the libraries above before your year-end holidays? Apart from increasing knowledge of course.