There are plenty of breathtaking places to visit in the world.
There are natural wonders like the Grand Canyon or ancient ruins like the Colosseum, or fantastic buildings with sky-high observation decks.
But there are a few places, pretty much in every city, that you might not expect to take your breath away: libraries.
No, you don’t have to be Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" to appreciate a good library. So many libraries, whether they’re several centuries or just a few decades old, can be a wonderful stop to make on your next trip.
Some libraries are even famous institutions of some of the best cities in the world. Libraries like the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library, for instance, has been photographed and appeared in movies hundreds (or possibly thousands) of times. You’ve probably seen this library, even if you haven’t been to New York.
Or, there are libraries that are celebrations of innovative design. The interesting, clean, and minimal architecture of the Stuttgart Library in Germany, for instance, would make any modern design-lover leap for joy.
And some libraries look as if you’re stepping into a royal palace, like the aptly-named Royal Portuguese Reading Room in Brazil, or the Rampur Raza Library in India.
