Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading
Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, Neo-Manueline library in Centro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading features floor-to-ceiling bookshelves spanning three stories, crowned by a stained-glass dome and cast-iron chandelier.
Founded in 1837 by 43 Portuguese immigrants, the building was constructed between 1880 and 1887 with stones transported directly from Portugal.
The library holds 350,000 volumes, including a rare 1572 edition of Os Lusíadas and works from Portuguese authors spanning five centuries.
Located at 30 Luís de Camões Street, the library welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The institution receives 6,000 new titles annually, maintaining the largest collection of Portuguese literature outside Portugal with manuscripts dating from 1521.
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Location: Centro
Inception: 1880
Founders: Tibúrcio António Craveiro
Architectural style: Neo-Manueline
Address: R. Luís de Camões, 30 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20051-020, Brazil 20051-020
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 09:00-18:00
Phone: +552122213138
Website: http://realgabinete.com.br
GPS coordinates: -22.90532,-43.18227
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:46
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.
Rio de Janeiro is more than a city; it is a living backdrop. Between mountains and sea, the Brazilian metropolis showcases its most famous landscapes: Christ the Redeemer overlooking Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf shining in the sun, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches where music and sand never sleep. But Rio is not just postcards. In the streets of Santa Teresa, colorful azulejos climb the Selarón stairs, museums reinvent the modern city, parks hide tropical forests, and lookouts reveal stunning panoramas. From samba to nature, from colonial heritage to futuristic architecture, each neighborhood tells a different face of Rio. Here are the must-visit places to experience its energy, beauty, and the unique joie de vivre.
Teatro João Caetano
87 m
Church of Saint Francis of Paola
185 m
Equestrian statue of Dom Pedro I
188 m
IFCS
81 m
Teatro Carlos Gomes
241 m
Municipal Art Center Hélio Oiticica
126 m
José Bonifácio
181 m
Building at Rua da Carioca, 43
225 m
Building at Rua da Carioca, 53
231 m
Building at Rua da Carioca, 87
199 m
Building at Rua da Carioca, 57
226 m
Building at Rua da Carioca, 83
202 m
Building at Rua da Carioca, 77
202 m
Building at Rua da Carioca, 47
237 m
Building at Rua da Carioca, 81
201 m
Igreja de Santo Elesbão e Santa Efigênia
226 m
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Terço
226 m
A Justiça
140 m
Building at Rua da Carioca, 55
215 m
Conjunto da Rua da Carioca
235 m
Building at Rua da Carioca, 61
211 m
Building at Rua da Carioca, 85
199 m
João Caetano
129 m
A Fidelidade
135 m
A Liberdade
133 m
Lampadário do Monumento Pedro I
154 m
A União
145 m
Luis de Camões
26 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes