Exploring The Royal Portuguese Reading Room

The Royal Portuguese Reading Room

Hey Travelers! If you’re visiting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, you have to check out the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading. This library is also known as the Royal Portuguese Reading Room. This library is definitely a hidden gem in the heart of Rio de Janeiro that many travelers overlook. When I went into this iconic library, I felt immediately awe-struck. The Royal Portuguese Reading Room was constructed in the 1800s and is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world!

Address

R. Luís de Camões, 30 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20051-020, Brazil

Cool Facts About The Royal Portuguese Reading Room

Some cool facts about the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading are:

• Named the 4th most beautiful library in the world by Time magazine.
• The architecture of the library reflects a Gothic-Renaissance style.
• Besides books, there is an extensive collection of sculptures, paintings, and other types of artwork.
• This iconic space receives about 6,000 new titles a year. There are about 400,000 volumes.
• A small group of Portuguese immigrants built this library as a way to spread and preserve Portuguese literature and culture.
• This library has the largest collection of Portuguese books outside of Portugal.
• It’s an actual library that is free and open to the public. You can visit to read, work, and do research…so don’t make too much noise or you will hear shhhhh.
• On average, the library receives approximately 150 visitors a day.
• The library opened to the public in 1883.

Conclusion

If you are visiting, Rio de Janeiro, this is a site you can’t miss! It’s a quick visit, but you will leave awe-struck due to the beauty of this historic and iconic hidden gem in the city’s downtown area.

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