Continuing the series of the world’s best libraries, this edition looks at some more biblio temples south of the equator, with a selection of the best libraries in South America, from Argentina to Brazil and more:
The Grand Splendid Athenaeum, Buenos Aires
Described by the National Geographic as ‘the world’s most beautiful bookstore’, El Ateneo Grand Splendid is located in the trendy Recoleta neighbourhood of Buenos Aires and is a former 1910’s theatre. The repurposed early 20th century playhouse is now a 2,000 m2 bookstore complete with the former theatre boxes, stage and grade drapes housing a cafe. The bookstore now brings in roughly 1 million visitors per year.
The National Library of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
Claimed to be the largest library in Latin America, The National Library of Brazil is considered the seventh largest book depositary in the world with around 9 million volumes. Located in the former capital, Rio de Janeiro, the 17-bay fronted building was constructed in the 1910s after the previous national library outgrew its first property. Incorporating art nouveau and neo-classical styles, the library is replete with columns, archways, statues and mouldings, with a timeless entrance hall beneath three storeys of library rooms.
Convent of San Francisco Library, Lima
Built in the late 17th century, the library at the Convent of Saint Francis in Lima comprises of 25,000 volumes including 15th century incunabulas and six thousand parchments. The relatively simple architecture of the library is constructed in a Spanish Baroque style featuring cedar wood helical staircases, floor tiles from Seville and small doors leading to the mezzanine floor.
The Royal Portuguese Reading Cabinet, Rio de Janeiro
The largest collection of Portuguese literature outside of Portugal, the Royal Portuguese Reading Cabinet has been named one of the world’s most beautiful libraries by Time magazine. The central Reading Room is the breath-taking three-tier gothic masterpiece housing carved wooden archways and bannisters with gold motifs and intricate fretwork, an ornate iron skylight and a 1.7 meter-high silver, ivory and marble ‘Altar of the Homeland’.
See more of the world’s most beautiful libraries in previous posts, from Europe to Australasia and North America, or view some other inspiring reading rooms by browsing the ‘library‘ tag.
feature image by J Balla Photography via unsplash