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 is a Neo-Manueline building in downtown Rio de Janeiro housing floor-to-ceiling bookshelves across three levels, with a stained-glass dome and cast-iron chandelier overhead. The collection includes over 300,000 books, with particular strength in Portuguese literature and historical texts.
The institution was founded by Portuguese immigrants in the 1800s, and the current Neo-Manueline building was constructed between 1880 and 1887 using stone brought from Portugal. This dual origin—both the founding community and the architectural design—reflects the commitment to preserving Portuguese culture across generations.
The library carries its Portuguese identity through the collections and the community it has served since the 1800s. Visitors encounter the lasting connection between Rio and the Portuguese-speaking world, with the space functioning as a cultural anchor for those seeking knowledge of their heritage.
The library is situated in the heart of downtown Rio and welcomes visitors during daytime hours on weekdays for exploring the reading rooms. The layout is straightforward, with a main floor offering direct access to the impressive interior despite the building's compact street presence.
The collection includes rare books dating back over five centuries, with one volume from 1572 being a particularly treasured piece among the holdings. Few libraries in South America maintain such an extensive record of Portuguese literary history in a single location.
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