Rome may be the Eternal City, but for bibliophiles, it’s also the eternal library. Beneath the hum of Vespas and the chatter in piazzas lies a quieter Rome—one filled with the scent of old pages, the creak of wooden shelves, and the thrill of literary discovery.

Start your journey at the Biblioteca Angelica, a jewel box of knowledge tucked beside Piazza Sant’Agostino. Established in 1604, it was the first public library in Italy, and walking inside feels like stepping into a Caravaggio painting—dim light filtering through high windows, centuries‑old tomes bound in leather, and an atmosphere that whispers of scholars and poets long gone.

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