National Library of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

The National Library, in Rio de Janeiro

The National Library of Rio de Janeiro is the largest library of Latin America, a monument with a rich heritage, on the Cinelândia square. The Rio de Janeiro audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this building with an elegant architecture, guardian of a treasure of books and documents.

The treasure of the books of Brazil

On the side of the Cinelândia square stands the National Library of Rio, whose architecture presents an elegant eclectic style, mixing the neoclassical and Art Nouveau influences, typical of the great buildings erected at the turn of the twentieth century. It is the largest library of Latin America and one of the most important of the world. Its origins date back to the arrival of the Portuguese court in Brazil, at the beginning of the nineteenth century, which brought with it the rich royal collection of books, fleeing the Napoleonic invasion of Portugal. This initial collection constituted the heart of the library, which never ceased to enrich itself to gather today millions of works, manuscripts, maps, prints, photographs and precious documents retracing the history of Brazil and of the world. The building itself, with its great staircase, its monumental reading rooms and its careful decor, is a setting worthy of this heritage. A place of knowledge and memory, the library testifies to the importance accorded to culture in the history of the country. A cultural monument and a treasure of knowledge, the National Library is a fine stop of the discovery of Rio de Janeiro.

What to see

You admire the largest library of Latin America, with an elegant eclectic architecture mixing neoclassical and Art Nouveau, on the Cinelândia square; born from the rich royal collection brought by the Portuguese court in the nineteenth century, it gathers millions of works, manuscripts, maps and precious documents, in a building with a great staircase and monumental reading rooms. The National Library is a treasure of knowledge of Rio. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The National Library lies on the Cinelândia square, in the centre of Rio de Janeiro, reachable on foot and by metro. The visit and the access to the rooms follow their own hours and conditions, which vary; guided tours may be offered. It is best to check them before coming.

What is the National Library of Rio de Janeiro?

The largest library of Latin America, with an elegant eclectic architecture, on the Cinelândia square; born from the rich royal collection brought by the Portuguese court fleeing Napoleon in the nineteenth century, it gathers millions of works, manuscripts, maps and precious documents retracing the history of Brazil and of the world.