The 5 most beautiful libraries in Budapest

I might be biased as a humanities student, but libraries have always enchanted me. There is something special about the monumental buildings filled with the smell of old books. Even if you are not into books and reading, you can check out a few really beautiful libraries in Budapest that are simply really nice to look at.

1. Eötvös Loránd University Library

The Eötvös Loránd University Library at Ferenciek tere [Franciscans’ Square] is devoted to serve the students and teachers of Eötvös Loránd University. The building that we see today was built in 1876, and it was designed by Antal Szkalnitzky in an eclectic style. However, the library itself is much older, it was founded in 1561. The library currently has 1,600,000 volumes including 200 codices and 300 medieval charters.

The library has a beautiful reading room which is almost always full with busy (and sometimes desperate) university students trying to catch up on their reading or preparing for their exams. The walls are decorated with beautiful murals.

2. School of English and American Studies Library, ELTE

This library is really special. Eötvös Loránd University’s Faculty of Humanities had an old courtyard that hosted the popular pub Holdudvar (now located on Margaret Island), until the whole place was transformed into a huge library in 2006. As soon as you step into the library, you will be amazed by the incredibly high ceiling and the tons of natural light that fills up the huge space.

The number of books on the shelves might not seem so impressive at first sight, but the majority of the library’s collection is actually stored in the underground archive. Unfortunately, only students of the university can use the library itself, but nobody will be sent away for looking around a little.