Your Guide to The Most Amazing Libraries in The World!

With the vast availability of Ebooks and audiobooks, reading from a physical book is becoming more and more uncommon. New technology has allowed us to have access to millions of books at our fingertips.

But, there is still something special about stepping foot inside of a library — a place that has helped mold some of our world’s greatest minds.

Did you know the world’s oldest operating library was founded in the 6th century?

The Library at Saint Catherine’s Monastery, located in Egypt, holds a collection of early scrolls and manuscripts that are centuries old. And, there are many other libraries that hold priceless books that are an integral part of world history.

“It’s funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women. The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community. Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers and reached out to illiterate adults. Libraries can never be shushed. ”

— Paula Poundstone

Oldest recently published a guide to the most amazing public libraries that are invaluable to world history, which house millions of items in their collections.

From the Middle East to western Europe, check out more about the historic libraries that share stories from our world’s past in the infographic below!

Photos by Charl van Rooy and Shawn Ang

Pin Me!

Guide to The most Amazing Libraries in The World

Meet The Author

Lindsay Shapka is an avid traveler and the creator of The Anthrotorian — a website dedicated to sharing travel tips, stories about adventures, culture quirks, artists you should know, fascinating bits of history, and more!

She is also an artist, marketing specialist, editor, and freelance writer who has work featured on websites, blogs, and in magazines like National Geographic Traveler.

Click here to learn more

Travel & Adventure Blog Feed

I lived in the small city of Ansan just outside of Seoul, South Korea (close enough that I was still on the Seoul subway line) for a year and a half while I was working there as an English teacher. Because I was so close, I spent almost every weekend exploring Seoul’s winding historic alleyways, huge high-rises, modern art galleries, curated natural areas, and layer upon layer of food, fashion, and culture.

Best Places to ski and snowboard this winter.jpg

Still looking for that ideal pow that will make this alpine season one to remember?

These spectacular ski and snowboard destinations offer a combination of stunning landscapes, diverse terrain, and exceptional snow conditions!

They say opposites attract, and there is nothing more exciting than making a connection with someone who has lived a completely different life in a totally different country or culture than your own. Everything is new and intriguing, but this type of relationship also comes with its own unique set of challenges.

Here are some things to keep in mind when shifting from your meet-cute to a relationship.

The West Coast Trail will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I embarked on this epic 75 km trek with a group of fellow trekkers that included my dad, my best friend and her dad, and three of our dads' friends. We had no idea, standing at the trail head in Port Renfrew on our first day, the adventures that would befall us, the amount of mud that would be caked on our clothing, how much our hip bones would hurt every morning, and how absolutely unforgettable every moment would be.

Eight best cities to travel to in February.jpg

Are you itching for a change of scenery? Have some vacation time to use? Ready to head somewhere warm?

Here are the BEST places to visit in February, and a few things to do in each location (including some FREE options!).

There's nothing better than a new adventure, but staying healthy and not gaining weight while you travel can be a challenge. Trust, me — I, and a huge pasta belly that I brought back from Italy (and thankfully lost), know.

You're thrown out of your comfort zone, knocked out of your regular routine, and are no longer surrounded by familiar food, and your favorite workout spots.

I’ll never forget my first deep-water dive.

We had spent a few days in a classroom, reading the PADI certification book, going nowhere near water. When we were finally able to get into the ocean with our equipment, it was shallow water only, while we got used to breathing through a regulator with a heavy oxygen tank strapped to our backs.

Visitors travel from all over the world to experience the magic of the European Christmas markets and join locals sipping mulled wine and purchasing local treasures to gift to family and friends.

Even if you are a seasoned traveler or used to traveling with other people, taking a trip with a significant other is an entirely different scenario. Both you, and your person, are sure to have expectations on each other, and on the experiences that you are hoping to have, and that can create a lot of pressure.

Here’s what you need to know to make sure your trip together is memorable for the right reasons (and not because you had a huge fight in the middle of the Roman Forum).

Pin Me!

Related Posts

Meet The Author