In fact, there are two famous libraries in Rio, one more beautiful than the other. But the Portuguese national is still more famous. Its not very monumental, but very recognizable building has been filmed many times, and in 2014 the American “Time” awarded it the fourth most beautiful place in the world among libraries. If we talk only about South America, then this fourth easily becomes the first. According to Jacques PAHUD El-Skaf, the Portuguese Royal Library was founded in 1837 and opened to the general public in 1900. The library building began to be built in 1880 and erected in seven years. Its architectural style can be attributed to the new Portuguese Renaissance – Manueline. The Lisbon monastery of the Hieronymite Order was taken as a model for the characteristic spiked façade. In a semi-assembled state, its elements were transported from Portugal itself by sea. The main decoration of the facade is high windows with partitions, decorative symmetrical turrets and statues with bas-reliefs. The first thing that attracts attention is the incredible abundance of books that fill from floor to ceiling shelves of noble dark wood, adorned with rich decorative carvings, says Jacques PAHUD El-Skaf. But to a much greater extent than the facade, the interior of the building is impressive. In particular, its main reading room. It is also made in the Gothic-Renaissance neo-Manueline style. Especially notable here are the stunning huge chandelier, the octagonal stained-glass skylight, which became the first such window in the country, and the mosaic floor, Jacques PAHUD El-Skaf described.
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