Celebrate National Library Month at These Historic Libraries

February is National Library Month. Here’s where to celebrate.

Clementinum, Prague

This library hall features gilded globes and enchanting frescos. It dates back as early as 1622 when the Jesuits first started construction, and was built over 170 years, highlighted by the various building designs throughout.

Royal Portuguese Reading Room, Rio de Janeiro

This library was built in 1880 and features a cathedral-like reading room with a stained-glass dome, ornate bookshelves and wooden galleries. Located in Rio, it holds the largest collection of Portuguese literature outside of Portugal. 

Marciana Library, Venice

This historic library is one of the earliest surviving libraries in Italy. Construction started in 1537 and lasted 50 years. It includes work by many Venetian artists and more than 750,000 books, 13,000 manuscripts and 24,000 prints.

Trinity College Old Library, Dublin

Trinity College Old Library in Dublin is most recognizable for the 200-foot Long Room, lined with marble busts of famous writers. Queen Elizabeth I founded the library in 1592, but the existing structure was built in 1712. 

Coibra Library, University of Coibra- Alta and Sofia, Portugal

This ornate library built in 1717 includes dark Baroque elements, including exotic carved wood, gilded patterns and lacquered wooden bookshelves. Inside the library is its own prison where scholars and students were once confined.

Austrian National Library, Vienna

This Baroque library dates back to 1723 and was the palace library until 1920 when it was taken over by the state. It is the largest library in Austria and, perhaps, the most luxurious and ornate. Its Globe Museum includes terrestrial and celestial globes made before 1850.