Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, Rio de Janeiro

The Royal Portuguese Reading Room, in Rio de Janeiro

The Royal Portuguese Reading Room is a sumptuous library of Rio, voted among the most beautiful of the world. The Rio de Janeiro audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this jewel with a richly sculpted façade and a dazzling reading room, setting of the Portuguese literary heritage.

One of the most beautiful libraries of the world

This fine façade, richly sculpted, is that of the Royal Portuguese Reading Room. This library, listed as cultural heritage, was voted the fourth most beautiful library of the world by a great magazine, and you understand why as soon as you cross the threshold. Founded in the nineteenth century by the Portuguese community of Rio, anxious to preserve and to diffuse the Lusophone culture and literature, it keeps one of the most important collections of works in the Portuguese language outside Portugal. Its façade, of neo-Manueline style, is inspired by the Portuguese art of the era of the great discoveries, with its abundant ornaments, its sculptures and its maritime motifs. But it is the reading room that leaves you speechless: a majestic space, lined from floor to ceiling with dark woodwork and thousands of old bound books, topped with a dome of colourful stained glass and adorned with an immense chandelier of iron. A true cathedral of the book, this place out of time amazes the lovers of reading and beauty. An architectural jewel and a literary treasure, the Royal Portuguese Reading Room is a fine stop of the discovery of Rio de Janeiro.

What to see

You admire the sumptuous library voted among the most beautiful of the world, with a richly sculpted neo-Manueline façade inspired by the great discoveries, which keeps one of the most important collections of works in Portuguese outside Portugal; its majestic reading room, lined with woodwork and thousands of old books under a stained-glass dome, is a true cathedral of the book. The Royal Portuguese Reading Room is a treasure of Rio. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Royal Portuguese Reading Room lies in the centre of Rio de Janeiro, reachable on foot and by metro. The visit of the reading room follows its own hours and conditions, which vary; entry is often free, in respect of the calm of the place. It is best to check them before coming.

Why is the Royal Portuguese Reading Room famous in Rio?

Because it was voted among the most beautiful libraries of the world: founded in the nineteenth century by the Portuguese community, with a richly sculpted neo-Manueline façade, it keeps one of the most important collections of works in Portuguese outside Portugal, and its reading room lined with woodwork and old books, under a stained-glass dome, is a true cathedral of the book.