A jewel in Vienna

This is a very magnificent library, which kinds of make me feel like I’ve walked into Harry Potters’s world. There were lots of book in this library. However, €10 for the ticket seems to be very overpriced even though it’s a great experience This fabulous library is in the State Hall which has a different, much smaller entrance, than that signposted "Osterreichische Nationalbibliotek" on the outside of the Hofburg Imperial Palace fronting Heldenplatz. Entry cost was EUR8-00 for seniors and EUR10-00 for adults. There were a number of stairs to be negotiated before gaining entry to the library which was on the first floor. The State Hall was built between 1723 and 1726 on the orders of Emperor Charles VI. The State Hall today hosts over 200,000 books, many leatherbound, dating from 1501 to 1850. These are housed in a spectacularly ornate hall which is over 77 metres long, 14 metres wide and nearly 20 metres high. In the middle section of the Hall there is a large richly frescoed cupola under which sits a statue of Emperor Charles VI. The ceilings are also beautifully frescoed and there are masses of gilded woodwork. The books are on two levels with beautifully carved wooden staircases between them and a wonderful curved balustrade surrounding the top level. There are also huge ladders at regular intervals to reach the books on the upper shelves on each level. There are also secret rooms, where the bookshelves open, and reading spaces.#travelvienna