Nestled In The Heart Of Austria Is A Charming Fairytale Library With An Impressive Collection

Not only are libraries community hubs, havens for the written word, and accessible dens of social equity, but they also make for some incredible tourist attractions all over the world. In the United States, you have iconic libraries like the Library of Congress or the New York Public Library, both on the list of America's best libraries to visit. There are modern structures throughout North America, floor-to-ceiling reading rooms in Asia, ancient replicas in Africa, and colorful South American edifices home to towers of books. Then, of course, there's Europe, with the world's largest concentration of beautiful libraries in capital cities, remote villages, and everywhere in between. 

One of the most beautiful libraries in Europe — and in the world — can be found in the town of Admont, high in the idyllic Austrian Alps. Admont is home to the ancient Benedictine monastery, the Admont Abbey, which houses the largest monastic library in the world. The Admont Abbey Library is significant for more than books, however: The airy, Baroque-style room, covered in frescos, is said to have inspired the iconic library from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast."

Austria has its fair share of beautiful libraries, like its largest library, a breathtaking ornate structure with an impressive collection, located in Vienna. While the most well-known libraries are in the bigger cities, if you go a little off the beaten path, you'll find incredible gems, like the Admont Abbey Library. This monastery library, in addition to being the largest monastery library in the world, is also packed with history dating back to its construction in 1776 (the monastery itself is much older, at nearly 1,000 years old). It may seem strange that such a huge and ancient collection can be found in such a remote spot, but traditionally, abbeys and monasteries were built far away from urban centers. This was so the monks could focus on their studies and prayer without outside influence.

The Admont Abbey Library, sometimes called the "Eighth Wonder of the World," has withstood the test of time. The Great Admont Fire of 1865 destroyed most of the abbey, but luckily, the library and its contents received only minimal damage. Thoughtfully designed to embody the principles of the Enlightenment, with light-filled rooms and frescoes that "show the stages of human knowledge from thinking and speaking to the sciences and divine revelation in the centre dome" (per Admont Abbey's website), the library hall holds around 70,000 volumes. (The abbey in total has around 200,000 books.) The three sections of the library, lined with white-and-gold bookshelves, intricate sculptures, and painted carvings, create a gorgeous palace of books, a bibliophile's paradise. 

History comes alive at this literary gem, and so do fairy tales. The awe-inspiring Admont Abbey Library brings the fictional "Beauty and the Beast" library to life. To get there, take a two-hour car or three-hour train trip from Salzburg, home of one of Europe's most offbeat tourist attractions, or slightly longer from Vienna, to Admont, situated about halfway between Austria's two most famous cities. The abbey and the library are the best sights in the town, although the surrounding scenery is a destination in itself.

The rest of the abbey is nearly as incredible as the library, especially the museum (split into multiple themed museums, like the Gothic Museum and the Natural History Museum) and the panoramic stairways that provide gorgeous views of the Alps. The Admont Abbey Cellar, the on-site restaurant, serves seasonal Austrian cuisine, and the Admont Abbey shop sells religious souvenirs, postcards, local products (even wine), and, of course, books. Just note that the library, museum, cellar, and shop are only open during the "museum season" from mid-March to mid-December. However, the grand Admont Abbey Church is open year-round, with weekly worship services, and visitors can tour the grounds, meet the resident monks, and even stay the night.