Barcelona is a city rich in culture and the passion for literature permeates all its streets. It has more than forty libraries for all tastes and the best public library in the world. Discover our selection, Hola Barcelona takes you there!
Barcelona's cultural wealth is not limited to its museums and theaters; Libraries also play a crucial role in this cultural field. On this journey through the city's most emblematic libraries, you will enjoy its world of letters:
- Biblioteca de Catalunya (Ciutat Vella): Founded in 1907 and attached to the Department of Culture of the Generalitat, this library is the legal repository of all printed material in Catalonia. With a rich bibliographic heritage, it offers a wide range of resources and an atmosphere that breathes wisdom.
- Biblioteca Joan Miró (Eixample): Named after the renowned Catalan artist, this library was established in 1987. Its modernist design captivates its visitors and makes it a very pleasant place to delve into its multitude of books.
- Biblioteca Francesca Bonnemaison (Ciutat Vella): Founded by Francesca Bonnemaison in 1909, it is one of the oldest and most significant libraries in Barcelona and Europe. Initially located in the cloister of the parish of Santa Ana, this pioneering library grew quickly and was moved to various locations until reaching its current headquarters in the Cordelles house on Sant Pere Més Baix street, 7. In addition to being a library, This space welcomes other institutions that promote gender equality and the active participation of women in culture and society.
- Biblioteca Sofia Barat (Eixample): It is one of the oldest in the city's library network. It specializes in alternative medicine and also offers information about history, architecture and life in Eixample.
García Márquez Library, the best public library in the world
This library located in the Sant Martí de Provençals district is a tribute to Gabriel García Márquez, the illustrious Colombian writer awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. Its name is a reflection of his dedication to Latin American literature, offering a specialized collection in this very rich literary genre. It is an inspiring place where lovers of Latin American literature can explore and enjoy their works.
It is the third largest library in the city with almost 4,000 square meters distributed over six floors, occupying third place in the ranking behind the Gràcia library and the Ignasi Iglesias library, in Sant Andreu. It has won the international award for the Best New Public Library of 2023. The facilities are so attractive that it has been called the "Guggenheim of La Verneda" and last October it also won the FAD Architecture 2023 Award.
For all who delight in the magic of printed words, Barcelona offers a perfect setting to explore its iconic libraries. Move through its streets and discover these true treasures of knowledge. Travel around the most literary, cinematographic and secret Barcelona with Hola Barcelona!
