Now you’ll know where they are and how to visit them.
1. Shakespeare & Company bookshop, Paris
A must-see spot for the book lover visiting Paris. Established in
1951, this tremendously beautiful and cozy bookshop & café offers
English-language books. It’s located just a 3 minutes away from the
Notre-Dame cathedral, on the other side of Seine river.
You may consider visiting Shakespeare & Company in the evening,
and the chances are big you’ll join one of the frequently held events.
2. Book benches, Instanbul
When you’ll visit Istanbul you’ll most probably see one of these
beautiful book benches. They are spread across the city: in parks,
boulevards, and squares.
The benches represent the works of eighteen most famous Turkish
writers. Each bench reveals the most interesting page of the book.
Among other places, you’ll see the benches in the park on the Çamlıca
Hill, as well as on the embankment along Kennedy Street (for instance,
in Aytekin Kotil Park).
Address: Çamlıca Social Facility, Küçük Çamlıca Cd., Istanbul, Turkey
Address: Aytekin Kotil Park, Sakızağacı, 34142 Istanbul, Turkey
Website: bucakkutup.gov.tr
Address: Aytekin Kotil Park, Sakızağacı, 34142 Istanbul, Turkey
Website: bucakkutup.gov.tr
3. Hay Castle Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, UK
Picturesque, little town Hay-on-Wye is the most famous book town in
the world. It has just 1,500 inhabitants and as much as 24 bookshops.
Each bookshop in town is worth visiting, and one you definitely
shouldn’t miss is the open-air bookshop in the Hay Castle. The town is
especially worth visiting during Hay Festival of Literature & Arts,
held between May and June.
Hay-on-Wye is located on the Welsh-English border, a little more than 3 hours by car from London, or 1,5 from Bristol.
4. The Old Library, Trinity College, Dublin
The library serving Trinity College and the University of Dublin is
the largest in Ireland. It consists of several buildings, but the one
you have to see is the Old Library.
The building was designed by Colonel Thomas de Burgh and built
between 1712–33. It incorporates the Long Room, one of Ireland’s biggest
tourist attractions. The 65-meter-long chamber houses more than 200,000
books and manuscripts.
5. Livraria Lello & Irmão Bookstore, Porto
Considered one on the most beautiful bookstores in the world,
Livraria Lello was opened in 1906 and quickly became an inspiration for
famous writers, and a center of literary gatherings.
The bookstore’s Art Nouveau architecture design lures tourists from
around the world. In Trip Advisor, it’s among the top 10 tourist
attractions of Porto. Located only 100 meters north of Clérigos Tower.
6. The Kansas City Public Library
If you are going to Kansas City, make sure to add a stop at the city
library, between the visits to Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and National
World War I Memorial.
The central library, the one with the outstanding front looking like
books on the shelf, is located in the Library District, at 10th Street,
between Baltimore Ave and Wyandotte St.
7. Book Fountain, Rome
Fontana dei Libri (The Fountain of Books) was designed by a
young architect Pietro Lombardi and built in 1927. It’s one of the most
wonderful fountains of Rome, but also the one that can be easily missed.
The book fountain is located in the direct neighborhood of Piazza
Navona. From the square, walk eastwards in the direction of the
Pantheon.
8. Ptyx Bookstore, Ixelles, Belgium
The bookstore opened in 2012, but thanks to its original and highly
involving façade it soon became one of the web’s most adored bookshops.
On the façade, you’ll see portraits of famous authors, accompanied with short bios.
Ptyx is located in Ixelles Municipality, within Brussels-Capital Region. It’s only 15 minutes by foot from Horta Museum.
9. Brattle Book Shop, Boston
The Brattle Book Shop was established in 1825 and is one of the
oldest and largest antiquarian and used bookstores in the United States.
In addition to the three-story building, you’ll find books in the outside sale lot.
10. Book Statue, Barcelona
Homenatge al Llibre (Tribute to Books) sculpture was created by a Catalan poet and visual artist Joan Brossa in 1994.
It was commissioned by the Catalan Guild of Bookshops, and it stands in the place where book fair is being organized every year.
Address: intersection of Paseo de Gracia with Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Barcelona
11. Open Door Bookshop, Rome
Established back in 1970s, this beautiful bookstore offers carefully
selected books in English, French, Spanish, and Italian. Its name
intends to testify to an open mind and a consuming curiosity for ideas
of all kinds.
The bookshop is located in Trastevere, a 1-minute walk from Piazza di Piscinula.
12. Municipal Library, Lyon
This beautiful fresco on a wall of Lyon Municipal Libray’s branch is a tribute to writers of Lyon and Rhône-Alpes.
Besides the library, you’ll find in the building the bookshop and a
workshop on the 21st-century printing. On the opposite side of the
street, you can rest in a brasserie.
The municipal library is located on the bank of Saône river, 7 minutes by foot from Part-Dieu Train Station.
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