Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Bookish Good Looks: The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World

It seems like everyday, we are hearing about another made up national week or day. They keep getting more and more ridiculous (seriously, do we need a holiday to celebrate tin cans?). While they may seem silly, some are actually worth celebrating. National Library Week in the United States (April 8-14) turns 60 years old in 2018. To celebrate, we’re highlighting the five most beautiful libraries in the world. Get ready to crack open a real book.

The Oldest: Al-Qarawiyyin (Morocco)

University Al Qaraouiyine Fez Morocco
Abdel Hassouni

Morocco is a stunningly beautiful country full of impressive architecture. Few buildings are as breathtaking as Al-Qarawiyyin library, the oldest continually operating library in the world. Built inside of the university of the same name, the library was opened in 1359 AD. Located in Fez, the green-roofed complex showcases classic Moorish architecture. From intricate mosaic tile to horseshoe archways that lead to an open air courtyard, the beauty of the building is enough to make you forget that this library houses over 4,000 rare books.

Recommended Videos

The Newest: Calgary New Central Library (Canada)

Calgary New Central Library rendering
Calgary Public Library

Calgary is about to be home to an impressive piece of modern architecture that is already generating plenty of buzz in the design community. Set to open later this year, New Central Library will be a connection between downtown and the trendy East Village. A special system of clear and fritted hexagonal glass creates a unique pattern on the facade of the building while allowing maximum natural light to flood the interior. Light wood accents inside create a warm and welcoming feel. The most exciting feature is the way the building swoops up and over the Light Rail crossing, allowing transit riders to experience the library in a truly unique way.

The Largest: Library of Congress (United States)

Library of Congress United States
Carol M. Highsmith

Housing literally millions of books, manuscripts, publications, and newspapers, the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. is the world’s largest. Consisting of three buildings, the impressive size of the library’s collection is matched by the beauty of the architecture. Built in the Neoclassical style, the buildings feature domed rotundas, impossibly high ornate ceilings supported by marble columns, delicate murals, and of course endless shelf space to house their massive collection.

The Most Futuristic: Biblioteca Vasconcelos (Mexico)

Biblioteca Vasconcelos Mexico City 1
Tax

If John Anderton had to research Precogs in Minority Report, we are pretty sure he would have headed straight to Biblioteca Vasconcelos. Located in Mexico City, the unassuming concrete exterior hides a mesmerizing interior of glass and steel. The floors are all translucent glass, creating a futuristic vibe that feels like standing inside an NSA-worthy computer mainframe. The inverted stepped architecture allows for the five levels to float above the main level, creating an eerie feeling that it all may come crashing down on you at any moment. Modern lounge seating and concrete walls further add to the ahead-of-its-time design of this stunning, sleek library.

The Jaw-Droppingest: Trinity College Library (Ireland)

Trinity College Library Dublin Long Room
Diliff

“Jaw-droppingest” may not be a real word, but it should be. It’s the only way to properly describe the Long Room in Dublin’s Trinity College Library. At 65 meters long (over 213 feet), the Long Room lives up to its name. With over 200,000 books in its collection, this main chamber of Trinity College Library holds one of the most exciting pieces: the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript created by Celtic Monks in the year 800. But it’s not just the books that draw massive crowds to this library each day. The two-story Long Room boasts an impressive barrel-vaulted ceiling and intricately carved wooden support columns. It’s well worth the hours-long wait in line to get a glimpse of this library.

Topics
Kelsey Machado
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kelsey is a professional interior designer with over a decade of experience in the design field. With a passion for…
The first trailer for the final season of Squid Game is here
The show will return for its third and final season on June 27
The cast of season 3 of Squid Game.

After a long delay between the show's third and second seasons, the third season of Squid Game is coming less than a year after the second. Now, we've got our first trailer for the new season, and it follows up on the major cliffhanger that ended the show's second season. The second and third seasons were filmed at the same time and written as a single long arc.

The first teaser for season 3 suggests that Player 456 and the Front Man will meet one last time. It also reminds us that the show has more twists and turns to come, and promises to bring the story it started all those years ago to a satisfying conclusion.

Read more
Nina Dobrev talks love for F1 & the ‘electric’ feeling of race day
From Netflix to the paddock: Nina Dobrev on her passion for Formula One
Nina Dobrev holds a Peroni and smiles.

When Nina Dobrev first attended an F1 event over a decade ago, she went as a casual observer. Similar to many recent Formula One fans, she streamed Netflix's Drive to Survive and immediately fell in love with the sport. Fast-forward to now, and Dobrev is all-in with F1 thanks to her greater appreciation for the world-class drivers and their sensational teams.

This past weekend, Dobrev attended the 2025 Miami Grand Prix on behalf of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% to support their iconic partner, Scuderia Ferrari HP. The Vampire Diaries star is also friends with Lewis Hamilton, one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, who competes for Ferrari.

Read more
8 intense and gripping movies like Sinners to watch next
These movies are just like Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler's hit
Michael B Jordan in Sinners

Sinners is the biggest original movie of 2025 so far. With an overabundance of franchises and retreads, fans have fervently crowded theaters to see Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan's next collaboration. The movie follows twin brothers who must fight back against evil spirits in a Mississippi town after returning to civilian life following World War I. The mix of racial commentary, social analysis, and beautiful set pieces has transfixed viewers to the big screen so far.

Going to a movie two or three times is always a good antidote for your movie craving, but if you've already exhausted your Sinners allotment for the time being, it might be best to look for similar films. Vampires, period pieces, racial implications, and so much more feature in this wide array of movies like Sinners. We've got you covered right here.

Read more