Austria’s flagship library, the Nationalbibliothek, contains an astounding collection of literature, maps, globes of the world and other cultural relics. Its highlight, though, is the Prunksaal (Grand Hall), a majestic baroque hall commissioned by Karl VI and built between 1723 and 1726. Marble-columned archways open to circular rooms of dark walnut-wood shelves with gilded motifs, overarched by magnificent ceiling-dome frescoes. A statue of the emperor stands in the middle, surrounded by 200,000 leather-bound books, the earliest dating back to 1501. Audio guides are available.
Rare volumes, mostly from the 15th century, are stored within glass cabinets, opened to beautifully illustrated pages of text. The exquisite fresco by Gran depicts the emperor’s apotheosis.
A combined ticket that includes the Esperantomuseum, Globenmuseum and Papyrusmuseum as well as the Literaturmuseum costs €19.