My Eurotrip 2024 included two of the most beautiful libraries. Fresh off the visit to the Klementinum library in Prague, I got to visit the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Austrian National Library) in Vienna.
The State Hall was built in the 18th century as part of the Habsburgs court library. Even though it was ludicrously busy in Vienna (peak season + Taylor Swift tourists) we were able to buy tickets online that were valid for entry for any time and we did not have to wait at all to enter.
The State Hall is spectacular – it’s 80 meter length is lined with rows of leather-bound volumes, tall ladders, and marble pillars. The vaulted ceiling is is covered in stunning frescos.
You are free to stroll the massive hall, looking at the the books, sculptures, and antique globes from a safe distance behind velvet ropes.
You even get to peak into some of the secret rooms – some of the bookshelves are doors to hidden rooms.
It is a marvelous place, well-worth the visit!
Cost: tickets cost Є10 / £8.50 GBP. You can bundle it with entrance to other museums (literature, papyrus, globe, esperanto museums). We ended up going to the Globe museum (somewhat interesting, but I wouldn’t really go back, unless you are obsessed with globes).
Lovely Outliers 
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