Interior of the Stockholm Public Library, Sweden
© Andrei Hrabun/Alamy Stock Photo
Where every angle tells a story
If you're ever in Sweden and looking for a quiet place to get 'shelved,' the Stockholm Public Library, or 'Stadsbiblioteket' as it is known to locals, is your spot. Opened in 1928, this library is not just a place to borrow books; it's a cultural icon and an architectural marvel. Here, more than 2 million volumes wait to unfold stories in over 100 languages. Designed by architect Erik Gunnar Asplund in the 1920s, this Nordic Classicist composition features the geometry of a cylinder intersecting a cubic base. Its accessible façade belies a treasure trove within a 360-degree rotunda, inviting even the casual reader into a literal circle of knowledge.