Behold the glory of the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura (Royal Portuguese Reading Room) in Rio de Janerio, built between 1880 and 1887 by architect Rafael da Silva e Castro, it contains the largest (350,000 volumes) and most valuable collection of Potuguese books outside Portugal.
The limestone facade was carved in Lisbon and transported to Brazil. The interior is a Neo-Manueline extravaganza of ornate pillars, arches and bookcases stretching up to the ceiling.
(Pix: Ruy Barbosa Pinto)
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