16 Libraries That Look Like Hogwarts IRL

We know your inner Hermione is tingling.

1. The John Rylands Library in Manchester, England

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This library in Manchester was built over 100 years ago as a public library, but now is a part of the University of Manchester. It's home to collections of rare books and its gorgeous architecture and winding staircases will have you feeling like a Hogwarts student on your way to the common rooms.

2. The University of Washington Library in Seattle, Washington

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The Suzallo Reading Room within the University's library looks exactly like a room straight out of Hogwarts. Built in 1923, the library was meant to be the "soul of the university." There's also a grand staircase connecting the first and third floors that looks like it was built by magic.

3. Library of Parliament in Ottawa, Canada

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Built in 1876 in the Gothic Revival Style, this library was luckily unharmed in a fire that broke out in 1916. Its warm wood and cozy reading nooks make it the perfect place to curl up with a book or spend a night or two researching the Sorcerer's Stone.

4. Biblioteca Real Gabinete Portugues de Leitura in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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The library's "Royal Reading Room" is a stunning display of dark wood and rows upon rows of Portuguese literature. We can just imagine Hermione looking up at all of those books with tears in her eyes.

5. Strahov Monastery Library in Strahov, Czech Republic

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Parts of this library date back to the 1600s and its age is reflected in the gorgeous wood detailing and the intricately painted ceiling that rivals the Great Hall's. The monastery also has a "Cabinet of Curiosities" — the predecessor to modern museums — which sounds like something J.K. herself thought up.

6. Upper Lausitzian Library of Sciences in Goerlitz, Germany

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In German, this library is named "Oberlausitzische Bibliothek der Wissenschaften," which is more of a mouthful than Viktor Krum trying to say "Hermione." But the inside is spectacular, with rows of wide arches leading to rooms upon rooms of volumes on art, culture, and economy of the region.

7. Chetham's Library in Manchester, England

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Chetham's is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world and gives off major Hogwarts vibes. It has warm wooden bookshelves and hidden window alcoves where you can catch up on Snape's required reading. There's also a "Chained Library" room filled with books on chains to avoid theft — I'd bet it's seriously lacking in books on Nicholas Flamel though.

8. The Morgan Library in New York City, New York

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Opened to the public in 1924 by J.P. Morgan Jr., this library and museum houses the Morgans' collection of rare books and other artifacts. It's a delightfully cozy blend of a library and the Gryffindor common room!

9. Palácio Nacional de Mafra Library in Mafra, Portugal

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This 300 year old library houses an extensive collection of Enlightenment material, plus some.... unique guests. A colony of small bats actually lives within the library and they come out at night to protect the books from bugs! So in this case, follow the bats, not the spiders.

10. Trinity College Library in Dublin, Ireland

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Trinity College and its library were established in 1592 (not quite as long ago as Hogwarts, but still!) and it continues to be considered the largest library in Ireland. Its rich wood and secret spiral staircases leading between floors gives off a very ~ magical ~ vibe.

11. The University of Chicago Library in Chicago, Illinois

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Built in 1912, this library took its inspiration from English architecture, like the King's College Chapel in Oxford. Its high ceilings and huge windows are just asking to be draped in the House Cup winner's colors!

12. Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library in Budapest, Hungary

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Although some of the 13,000 square feet building has a much more modern feel to it, there are some hidden gems within the 15 reading rooms that give off a very Hogwarts vibe. You can almost imagine Crookshanks curling up on one of those comfy chairs.

13. State Library of South Australia in Adelaide, Australia

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The Mortlock Wing of this library was named after a bookish benefactor and opened in 1884 as a library and event venue. (Can you say "Harry Potter-themed wedding?") With three floors to explore, it would be easy to get lost in this library down under.

14. Baroque Library in Prague, Czech Republic

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Opened in 1722, this gorgeous library contains over 20,000 texts, some of which date back to its original opening. It's attached to the Klementiunum, a complex of historic buildings that also includes an astronomical tower for perhaps some divination practice after you finish your library tour?

15. Biblioteca Angelica in Rome, Italy

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This public library dates back to the very early 17th century and since then has amassed a collection of almost 200,000 volumes that line the multi-storied walls. You might need a broom to reach some of the books at the top, but it's well worth it for the antique gorgeousness of the library's architecture.

16. Duke Humfrey's Library in Oxford, England

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Last, but certainly not least, is the actual library where Harry Potter was filmed within the University of Oxford. Duke Humfrey's Library is a reading room within the Bodleian Library and open to the public, but is technically not allowed to be photographed, so you may need to break out the invisibility cloak if you want to sneak a pic.

This article is part of a series of stories celebrating libraries and free access to information.

Ben Kothe / BuzzFeed News

CORRECTION

Nov. 16, 2018, at 18:23 PM

This article has been updated to reflect that The Baroque Library is located in Prague, Czech Republic. An earlier version mislabelled it as being in Czechoslovakia.