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Worldly Wisdom: 10 Libraries Totally Worth Traveling To

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In a fast-paced world where information is often reduced to a few characters, there's a haven that stands the test of time—the library. Beyond the unique scent of ancient pages, these bastions of knowledge are a true treasure for the curious, guarding the boundless realms of imagination and human history.

So, let’s embark on a literary pilgrimage around the world! In this article, we will explore 10 wonderful libraries that are totally worth visiting at least once.

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Nestled in the heart of Mexico City, this architectural marvel is a bibliophile's dream. With transparent walls and hanging bookshelves arranged in an Escher-like fashion, it's a testament to modern design. The library houses an extensive collection of over 600,000 volumes, and the sheer scale of the building creates an immersive reading experience. The building is also home to a large collection of art and sculptures by various Mexican artists, like the one pictured above.

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Often referred to as the "Black Diamond" due to its black granite exterior, this library seamlessly blends tradition and innovation in the heart of Copenhagen. Housing around 40 million items, the Royal Library is not just a repository of books but also a cultural hub, hosting concerts, exhibitions, and events. And even if you are not a bookworm, the panoramic views of the waterfront from its windows make it a must for any visitor to Copenhagen.

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A resurrection of the ancient library that once housed the knowledge of the ancient world, the modern Library of Alexandria (called Bibliotheca Alexandrina) is a symbol of Egypt's commitment to its intellectual revival. It hosts millions of books, a planetarium, and a manuscript restoration center, making it a beacon for scholars and history enthusiasts. The library also houses the International School of Information Science. This school prepares students for specialized post-graduate degrees, aiming to train library professionals in Egypt and the Middle East.

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Located in Dublin, Ireland, and home to the famous Book of Kells, the Trinity College Library is a feast for the eyes. The Long Room, with its barrel-vaulted ceiling and marble busts of great thinkers, conjures a timeless charm. And counting among its graduates celebrated writers like Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde, this library holds a special allure for history and literature enthusiasts, making it a must-visit pilgrimage site.

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Steeped in tradition and history, Oxford’s Bodleian Library is one of the oldest in Europe and the second-largest in Britain after the British Library. With over 13 million items in its collections, including a Gutenberg Bible (one of the only 21 surviving copies) and many of Shakespeare’s original works, it's a place where every corner whispers tales of the past. Also, The Radcliffe Camera—the most iconic building in the University of Oxford—is, in fact, part of the Bodleian Library, so don’t skip it!

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If you are planning a visit to the Celestial Empire, don’t miss China’s magnificent National Library! With a collection of over 41 million items, the library is certainly a bibliophile's utopia. Besides its impressive collection, holding the largest collection of Chinese literature and historical documents in the world, it offers a serene reading and research environment. It is the perfect place to immerse oneself in the world of Chinese history. The only issue is that you definitely should learn to read Chinese beforehand!

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Found in the heart of Canberra, Australia's capital, this library is a treasure trove of the nation's history and culture. The library's striking architecture and vast collection, including rare maps and manuscripts, make it a must-visit for those eager to delve into Australia's rich literary heritage. While you should expect a large Australian collection, it also houses unique Asian and Pacific collections that give it international renown.

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It seems like the Scandinavians like to break the mold of conventional library design, and this library in Norway is no exception, being a true architectural marvel. With its timber-clad exterior and open, welcoming spaces, it is designed and projected not only as a library but as a community hub. The library seamlessly integrates with the cultural center, something more libraries should try to encourage!

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A hidden gem in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, this library is a celebration of Portuguese language literature and culture. An iconic landmark of the city, it has been used as a filming location for movies and TV shows because of its stunning beauty. The ornate neo-Manueline architecture (evoking a Gothic-Renaissance style), adorned with statues and intricate woodwork, transports visitors to another era. Also, the library's collection includes rare works and first editions, making it a must for bibliophiles.

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Tucked away in a monastery in Prague, in the Czech Republic, this library offers a glimpse into the medieval world. With over 200,000 volumes, it is one of the best-preserved historical libraries in the world. The Baroque architecture, coupled with ceiling frescoes, medieval art exhibits, as well as its many ancient manuscripts and globes, creates an atmosphere of historical charm, becoming an enchanting pilgrimage site for those seeking the quiet wisdom of centuries past.

THE SCARY WORLD OF PHOBIA NAMES

8 phobia names to fuel your logophobia

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"Logophobia" is the irrational fear of words themselves. For most people, it only applies to a particular set of sounds, prefixes, or suffixes. There are also extreme cases, such as the ironically but aptly named "hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia," which is the fear of long words.

Some phobia names, as it would seem, are not only designed to describe themselves but also to give people with logophobia a nice scare. Keep on reading to find out 8 of the phobias with the weirdest names around!

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This one will probably open up the age-old debate between dog people and cat lovers. People with ailurophobia feel an abnormal fear of cats, even of cute and cuddly kittens. Many of the people who suffer from this phobia have had bad experiences with cats in the past, but that's not always the case. Like many of these names, this word has an ancient origin, deriving from the Greek word for "cat," ailuro.

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A fairly common phobia among kids –and some adults– "coulrophobia" refers to the fear of clowns. Horror novels and flicks like Stephen King's It probably had something to do with perpetuating the concept of the scary clown with a manic grin. If we are being completely honest, they do make quite a compelling case.

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"Anthophobia" is an abnormal fear of flowers. Anthos, you guessed it, is the Greek word for "flower". We get it – every rose has its thorns, and there's no doubt that nature can produce some horrifying specimens. For instance, the Rafflesia plant produces an enormous flower with such a strong and unpleasant smell that it has been sometimes called the "corpse flower."

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If you suffer from this phobia, you'll be relieved to find that this list is relatively short. "Triskaidekaphobia" refers to the fear of the number 13. The origins of the belief in the unlucky nature of the number 13 are foggy at best, and there is no consensus among historians. Nonetheless, just for good measure, it's probably better not to schedule any important events on Friday the 13th.

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Why stop at 13? "Arithmophobia" is the fear of numbers in general. Remember that we are talking about an extreme, irrational fear, not the general reluctance to deal with numbers that a lousy math teacher can induce into young students. As you can imagine, this uncommon phobia can significantly interfere with daily activities, such as paying bills.

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A type of chromophobia, "xanthophobia" is the fear of the color yellow. We hope none of the members of The Beatles suffered from it, as it would have made life in the Yellow Submarine quite unbearable. People with this phobia try to avoid the color yellow at all costs, be it in their choice of decorations, clothes, or even food.

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Sometimes also called "spectrophobia" or "catoptrophobia", this is the fear of mirrors or, more specifically, the fear of what might be reflected in them. As such, "eisoptrophobia" extends not only to mirrors but to any reflective surface. This phobia is fairly common and specialists have found different possible explanations for it, ranging from self-esteem issues to a fear of the supernatural.

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We saved the best for last, as this phobia makes almost no effort to hide its naming wordplay. "Phobophobia" is, quite literally, the fear of phobias, or the fear of fear itself. This circular definition is quite an overwhelming concept to wrap your head around, and it's often described as a general feeling of anxiety. It's most common in people who already suffer from other phobias, who might develop a fear of the way their preexisting phobias make them feel.