17 of the most astounding libraries in the world.

Library’s are magical places, and like churches and parliament buildings, are among the most grand in the world.

It’s no surprise that there are some seriously stunning book-houses out there.

LIKE Debrief Daily on Facebook. 

Keep scrolling below to see 17 of the most beautiful libraries in the world:

1. Raza Library, India.

This national treasure was built by Nawab Faizullah Khan in 1774 and he filled the library his inherited collection of valuable manuscripts, historical documents, Mughal miniature paintings, books and other works of art .

Fun fact: While many of the royal family’s other properties have been left to crumble, the library is still protected by the Indian government. It is one of the country’s few protected monuments.

2. Hearst Castle Gothic Study, USA.

This 'library' (read: millionaire's study) is part of one of California's most famous landmarks, Hearst Castle. Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst was inspired by European castles in the creation of this.

Fun fact:  It features 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms and 127 acres of gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a movie theater, an airfield, and the world's largest private zoo.

3. Strahov Monastery Library, Czech Republic.

The library was founded in 1143 by Bishop of Olomouc, Jindoich Zdík. The library houses many old prints printed between 1501 and 1800, with over 1,500 first editions.

Fun fact: The bones of St Norbert, a 10th century, German-born saint, were brought to Strahov Monastery Library in 1627 and still remain.

4. Wiblingen Monastery Library, Germany.

Wiblingen Abbey was founded in 1093 by the counts Hartmann and Otto von Kirchberg. An expansion project began in 1714, turning the abbey into an awe-inspiring Baroque masterpiece.

Fun fact: The Wiblingen Monastery Library is one of the most well preserved libraries in history and is highly valued by art historians due to the theological artwork on the ceiling.

5.  Melk Monastery Library, Austria.

This 1000-year-old library sits above the town of Melk and houses several members of the House of Babenberg, Austria's first ruling dynasty.

Fun fact: The protagonist, Adso of Melk, in the novel ‘The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco was named after the Melk Library, due to his personal fascination with the building.

6. Abbey Library of St. Gallen, Switzerland.

The Abbey Library of St Gall is the oldest and richest library in the world, dating back to the 8th century. It has the earliest-known architectural plan drawn on parchment.

Fun fact: During a fire in 937, the library was the only part of the building that survived.

7. The Library of El Escorial, Spain.

The building is the single most important architectural monument of the Spanish Renaissance and construction took 21 years (1563 - 1584).

Fun fact: Since the library was protected from the Spanish inquisitional (in which non-Catholic documents were destroyed), it preserved many prohibited books that were thought to be gone forever.

8. Bibliotheque Nationale de France, France.

France's national library houses a measly 14 million books and by law works published in France must be deposited there, so the library can conserve them and make them available to the public.

Fun fact: In 1995, Dominique Perrault designed and built a attachment. It was a 22-story, L-shaped glass building in an open square to represent a book. This caused widespread controversy in France due to the unpleasing sight.

9. National Library of China, China.

On your next trip to Beijing, why not stop off at this national monument. Being the largest library in Asia, and third largest in the world, the National Library of China holds over 31 million items and the largest collection of Chinese literature.

Fun fact: It will take a few days to cover all 250,000 square metres, or, you know, 250 square kilometres.

10. Stuttgart City Library, Germany.

Nine stories high, with a crystalised, glass ceiling, Germany’s Stuttgart City Library boasts more than just books. It contains specialised rooms and facilities including a sound studio and online animation library.

Fun fact: It has a section for borrowing art. Um, yes we'd like to rent a Picasso please.

Why are Liane Moriarty’s books dismissed as ‘chick lit’?

11. Trinity College Library, Ireland.

In the heart of Dublin, Trinity College is the largest library in Ireland and has more than 6 million materials which date all the way back to the 16^th century.

Fun fact: It is uniquely a “copyright library”, meaning they can receive works published in Ireland and the UK free of charge, resulting in more than 100,000 new works every year.

12. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, USA.

The US state of Connecticut is not only known for it’s nutmeg, but also for housing another one of the world’s largest libraries, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. This building holds some rare materials which are protected by the marble exterior and inner glass casings. A hub for students and scholars of Yale, it is set to re-open in September 2016 after renovations.

Fun fact: It's the largest building in the world dedicated to housing rare books and manuscripts. The architecture is used to preserve these materials, allowing ample lighting for people, but not too much to destroy parchments.

13. The Royal Portuguese Reading Room, Brazil.

Located in Brazil, The Royal Portuguese Reading Room holds the most Portuguese works anywhere outside of Portugal. If it’s rich history doesn’t capture your attention, the building’s gothic design definitely will.

Fun fact: The front of the building was carved from limestone in Lisbon and transported all the way to Rio between 1880 - 1887.

The sex-fuelled books we read in secret as teens. What was yours?

14. Rand Club Reading Room, South Africa.

In South Africa’s Johannesburg lies the Rand Club Reading Room, which has more than 10,000 materials, including books, magazines, international newspapers and “irreplaceable treasures”.

Fun fact: It's members only and the application fee alone starts at $55.

15. Mafra National Palace Library, Portugal.

Occupying the largest room in the Mafra National Palace, this Portuguese library holds some of rarest enlightenment-related books in Europe with around 36,000 volumes amassed through royal commission.

Fun fact: It’s paved with multicolored limestone floor and Rocaille shelves, and available to enter with an appointment only. You must be over 18 though - sorry kids.

16. Adelaide City Library, Australia.

Quite new into the library scene, Australia’s very own Adelaide City Library makes the list, mostly due to it’s architecture. As well as books, it hosts a range of exhibitions, resident artists and specialist speakers.

Fun fact: It also has an outdoor reading room, a perfect place to sit and relax with a good book.

The 30 most popular books of all time revealed.

17. National Art Library, UK.

Love art? The National Art Library in London is the place for you. While it does have books, some of them are actually art works and not for reading. It also has reference materials for all areas, including painting, textiles, sculptures and even woodwork.

Fun fact: 12. In the past, the National Art Library had a really strict admissions policy and was known as a library of last resort. Today, however, the library is welcome to everyone and its collections.

Are you adding these to your bucket list? Let us know in the comments.