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Aren't libraries just magical? The peaceful silence, the mysteries of hundreds of books, the smell of them... And if the library itself is a Baroque architecture masterpiece it sure helps to increment the fascination. In case that your community hasn't been blessed with a local library resembling the one in Hogwarts, we can offer a picture list of the most beautiful ones for you to dwell on.

Italian artist Massimo Listri has traveled around the world capturing the beauty of the most famous libraries. The chosen institutions, revered for their historical value, architectural relevance and preciousness of the books they keep, are standalone works of art. For those lucky enough to visit these design marvels, spending a whole day at the library doesn't sound so bad!

Most of these ornate bibliothecas aren't open for civic uses, so Listri's pictures can take you on tour to those kept from the public eye. From Gothic architecture halls to gilded public libraries, these magnificent establishments can leave you in awe.

Scroll down and let your bibliophile side marvel at the charm the likes of which only these libraries can offer!

More info: Instagram | massimolistri.com

#1

Baroque Architecture Library Of Saint Gall, Gallen, Switzerland

Baroque Architecture Library Of Saint Gall, Gallen, Switzerland

Massimo Listri Report

#2

Palace Of Mafra Library, Mafra, Portugal

Palace Of Mafra Library, Mafra, Portugal

Massimo Listri Report

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ashlynkrell avatar
Ashlyn Krell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I kind of like the artistic license that is being taken in the photos. At the same time, I don't want people to think this is exactly what they'll see if they went there in person: http://lisbonlovers.com/page.php?p=278&cat=

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#3

Famous Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland

Famous Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland

Massimo Listri Report

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#6

Royal Portuguese Cabinet Of Reading, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Royal Portuguese Cabinet Of Reading, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Massimo Listri Report

#7

Wiblingen Abbey Library, Wiblingen, Germany

Wiblingen Abbey Library, Wiblingen, Germany

Massimo Listri Report

#8

Sainte-Geneviève Public Library, Paris, France

Sainte-Geneviève Public Library, Paris, France

Massimo Listri Report

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#9

Riccardian Library, Firenze, Italy

Riccardian Library, Firenze, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

#10

Seitenstetten Abbey Library, Seitenstetten, Austria

Seitenstetten Abbey Library, Seitenstetten, Austria

Massimo Listri Report

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#11

Library Of The Monastery Of San Francisco, Peru, South America

Library Of The Monastery Of San Francisco, Peru, South America

Massimo Listri Report

#12

Wiblingen Abbey Library, Wiblingen, Germany

Wiblingen Abbey Library, Wiblingen, Germany

Massimo Listri Report

#13

Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech Republic

Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech Republic

Massimo Listri Report

#14

National Library Of St Mark's, Venice, Italy

National Library Of St Mark's, Venice, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

#15

Marucelliana Library, Florence, Italy

Marucelliana Library, Florence, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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#16

Escorial Library, Madrid, Spain

Escorial Library, Madrid, Spain

Massimo Listri Report

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#17

Admont Abbey Library, Admont, Austria

Admont Abbey Library, Admont, Austria

Massimo Listri Report

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#18

Duchess Anna Amalia Library, Weimar, Germany

Duchess Anna Amalia Library, Weimar, Germany

Massimo Listri Report

#19

Saint Emmeram's Abbey Library, Regensburg, Germany

Saint Emmeram's Abbey Library, Regensburg, Germany

Massimo Listri Report

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#20

Ottobeuren Abbey Library, Ottobeuren, Germany

Ottobeuren Abbey Library, Ottobeuren, Germany

Massimo Listri Report

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#21

Melk Abbey Library, Melk, Austria

Melk Abbey Library, Melk, Austria

Massimo Listri Report

#22

State Library Oratoriana Girolami, Napoli, Italy

State Library Oratoriana Girolami, Napoli, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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#23

Joanina Library, Coimbra, Portugal

Joanina Library, Coimbra, Portugal

Massimo Listri Report

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markus_holstein90 avatar
Markus Holstein
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They keep bats in this one to get rid of bugs that might harm the books

#24

Codrington Library, Oxford, Uk

Codrington Library, Oxford, Uk

Massimo Listri Report

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#25

Palatina Library, Parma Italy

Palatina Library, Parma Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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#26

Library Of Duke D'aumale, Sicily, Italy

Library Of Duke D'aumale, Sicily, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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Aurélien DavPat
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Duke library is in France, in the Chantilly castle about an houre frome Paris. I have been myself, I think if I had have to made the journey to sicily I would have notice.

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#27

Padula Charterhouse Library, Padula, Italy

Padula Charterhouse Library, Padula, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

#28

General Archive Of The Indies, Seville, Spain

General Archive Of The Indies, Seville, Spain

Massimo Listri Report

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#29

Palafoxiana Library, Puebla, Mexico

Palafoxiana Library, Puebla, Mexico

Massimo Listri Report

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#30

Braidense National Library, Milan, Italy

Braidense National Library, Milan, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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#32

Angelica Library, Rome, Italy

Angelica Library, Rome, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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#33

Vatican Apostolic Library, Vatican City

Vatican Apostolic Library, Vatican City

Massimo Listri Report

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erbakan_b avatar
Cat on a bike
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah the secret library is what I want to see, not the public one... So much information behind locked doors.

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#34

Palermo Public Library, Palermo, Italy

Palermo Public Library, Palermo, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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#35

The Crociera Library, Rome, Italy

The Crociera Library, Rome, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you move things a little bit you could play chess o the ground :)

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#36

Taipei Public Library, Taipei City, Taiwan

Taipei Public Library, Taipei City, Taiwan

Massimo Listri Report

#37

Corsiniana Library, Rome, Italy

Corsiniana Library, Rome, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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#38

Casanata Library, Rome, Italy

Casanata Library, Rome, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

#39

Vallicelliana Library, Rome, Italy

Vallicelliana Library, Rome, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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#40

Palazzo Altieri Library, Rome, Italy

Palazzo Altieri Library, Rome, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The throne or balcony or whatever almost looks like it's floating

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#41

Public Library Of Imola, Imola, Italy

Public Library Of Imola, Imola, Italy

Massimo Listri Report

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emlee1 avatar
Margaret Lee
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are beautiful, but, personally, I love all the small town libraries where I have spent hundreds of hours, with so many dedicated librarians!

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