The world's most beautiful libraries

These shrines to literature are physical manifestations of the magic of books

- Yamini Chinnuswamy

Libraries hold a romanticized role in society, valued as rich sources of information and loved as avenues for entertainment and escapism.

As Mr Vincent Phan, the Melbourne-based founder and chief executive of online community 1000 Libraries, says: "Books themselves are everyday miracles. Open one and you're inside the mind of someone who may have died centuries ago."

Founded in 2020, 1000 Libraries claims to be the world's largest online community of book lovers, with more than 1.5 million readers and 1.2 million Instagram followers. It presents the world's most beautiful libraries, bookstores, book cafes, book towns and book-inspired destinations.

"The simple act of reading - of writing - might be our most astonishing human skill," he tells The Straits Times in an e-mail interview.

Mr Phan, 36, launched the 1000 Libraries Awards in 2023, inviting people around the world to vote for the world's most beautiful libraries.

The 1000 Libraries platform, he says, is intended to champion libraries and bookstores on social media. "In an age of screens, it felt vital to spotlight the places that keep the written word alive," he says.

Some 20,000 people voted for the inaugural awards, naming the Library of Trinity College Dublin in Ireland as their top pick.

The awards have grown to include sister lists that rank bookstores and book cafes.

The 2025 edition, for which the winners were announced earlier in August, raked in more than 200,000 votes during the 60-day voting window.

Voters chose their top 10 from 20 libraries shortlisted by the 1000 Libraries team.

These were nominated based on a combination of metrics from social media engagement, online reviews and architectural beauty, says Mr Phan.