European historic libraries and bookshops preserve written heritage accumulated over centuries. From Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon, founded in 1732 and still operating at the same location, to the Bodleian Library in Oxford, which has housed over 13 million works since 1602, these sites reflect the evolution and dissemination of books. Livraria Lello in Porto is notable for its curved wooden staircase and neo-Gothic woodwork from 1906, while Dominicanen Bookshop in Maastricht is housed in a converted 13th-century church. These spaces are distinguished by their architecture, from baroque to neo-Gothic, and by their function preserved across centuries. The Celsus Library in Izmir, built in 135 AD, used double walls to protect its 12,000 parchments from humidity. Hatchards in London has been operating since 1797 over five floors in Piccadilly, whereas Shakespeare and Company in Paris has maintained its English-language tradition since 1951 opposite Notre-Dame. These institutions offer visitors the chance to explore places where the history of the book is engraved in stone and wood.
London, United Kingdom
Hatchards has been operating since 1797 in the Piccadilly area, offering new and old books spread across five floors.
Paris, France
This English-language bookstore has continued a literary tradition since 1951 facing Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Porto, Portugal
This bookstore from 1906 features a curved wooden staircase and carved bookshelves in neo-Gothic style.
Izmir, Turkey
This Roman library from 135 CE housed 12,000 scrolls behind double walls for moisture protection.
London, United Kingdom
Once the world's largest bookshop, it still retains its century-old charm.
Paris, France
The Jousseaume Bookstore is among the oldest bookstores in Paris still in operation.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Ateneo Grand Splendid occupies a former theater from 1919 that was converted into a bookstore in 2000, retaining its stage, dressing rooms, and original wall murals.
Maastricht, Netherlands
The Dominican bookstore occupies a 13th-century Dominican church transformed into a modern bookstore, combining Gothic architecture with contemporary shelving across three levels.
Lisbon, Portugal
This historical bookshop opened its doors in 1732 and has continuously sold books at the same address.
Oxford, United Kingdom
This library contains over 13 million printed items and was founded by Sir Thomas Bodley in 1602.
Dublin, Ireland
This library holds over 6 million volumes and a medieval manuscript collection featuring the Book of Kells.
Prague, Czech Republic
This 17th century library contains 200000 volumes, manuscripts and frescoes in baroque architectural style.
Milan, Italy
Founded in 1609, this library houses an extensive collection of historical texts, artworks, and scientific documents.
Florence, Italy
This Renaissance library contains over 11,000 manuscripts and 4,500 early printed books in its historical collection.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The library was founded in 1837 by Portuguese immigrants and holds the largest collection of Portuguese literature outside Portugal.
St. Gallen, Switzerland
The library of the Saint Gall Abbey houses 2,100 medieval manuscripts and 160,000 books in its Rococo rooms from the 18th century.
Coimbra, Portugal
This 18th century library holds a collection of 200,000 historical books in three rooms with gilded wooden shelves.
Admont, Austria
This Benedictine library from 1776 contains 70,000 volumes in a 70-meter-long hall with ceiling frescoes.
London, United Kingdom
The library holds 150 million items from all countries and periods of history.
Copenhagen, Denmark
This library collects and preserves all Danish publications since 1482 and digitizes historical documents.
Venice, Italy
The Marciana Library has preserved since the 16th century rare manuscripts and printed works in its Renaissance building adorned with colonnades and vaulted ceilings.
Vatican City
The Vatican Apostolic Library has existed since 1475 and contains 1.6 million printed books, 150,000 manuscripts, and 8,600 incunabula.
Moscow, Russia
The national library of Russia holds more than 47 million books and documents in 367 languages.
