Hidden College Libraries That Belong in a Fairytale

8. Biblioteca Marciana – Venice, Italy

Overlooking the shimmering canals of Venice, the Biblioteca Marciana is a hidden sanctuary that rivals the grandeur of any palace library. Designed in the Renaissance style, this lesser-known Venetian treasure boasts breathtaking frescoed ceilings, marble pillars, and an extensive collection of manuscripts dating back to the 15th century. The library’s sense of mystique is amplified by its limited accessibility—only scholars and select visitors are permitted within its hallowed halls. If ever there were a library fit for a fairytale sorcerer, the Biblioteca Marciana would be it.