Book Churches

 


 

Book shops and libraries are heaven on earth for book lovers.

If they have an original concept or location, they attract even more visitors.

Did you ever hear of 'book churches'?

Let's discover some of them in Europe and Canada!

 

 

 

The first time I heard of such an original location, was when I visited Maastricht (Netherlands).

If you ever go there, make sure to go to book shop Dominicanen!

Here's a collage of my first impressions from December 2018:

 


And for those who like to watch a little movie of the place, here's one made by the book shop itself:

 


 


But did you know that this church isn't the only one converted into a bookshop or library?

There's a Belgian website where a list figures with lots of churches in the world that got a new purpose as a supermarket, fitness center, …

 

As the website is in Dutch, I already filtered the many churches to be able to present you the ones in connection to books.

By clicking on the links, you'll each time see a page on which you can find:

  • a few pictures
  • the exact address of the place
  • a short history of the building and repurposing
  • contact details
  • interesting links (to the websites, articles, Youtube-movies, …)

 

Sadly enough, there's no translation-button available on the site. But I can recommend to use Google Translate instead 😉

 

There are 4 bookshops mentioned:

 

Here's a short impression of the Livraria de Santiago in Óbidos (Portugal).

What a shame that it didn't exist yet when I visited this beautiful little medieval town many years ago!
By the way, if you ever go there, make sure to taste Ginja de Óbidos, a sour cherry liquor served in a chocolate cup (which you eat afterwards). Mmmmm!

 


 

But what amazed me most on abovementioned website was the amount of 'church libraries'!

Here's a list of the most beautiful ones (where the church architecture is visible on the pictures):

Just a little sidenote: '(openbare) bibliotheek' is Dutch for '(public) library'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you know other churches which have been repurposed as book shop or library, don't hesitate to mention them in the reactions! 


There exist so many original book places that I've decided to regularly present you some of them.

To be continued ... 😉



4 comments:

  1. It's nice to see these churches being recommissioned and put back to meaningful use. And what better use than to turn them into libraries, book shops or literary cafés? That way they remain temples of the mind and soul. We have so many beautiful churches and cathedrals throughout Europe and the world. My favorites in your list are Biblionef in Virton and that uncanny white church in Québec - almost otherwordly. On a practical note: who will continue to ensure the upkeep of these buildings?
    O, and another thing, Tau: next time you post a short video impression in Portugese, make sure to send me a translation beforehand: beautiful language but as I have told you before: I cannot make much of it. I envy your knowledge of the language. Music to the ears.

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    1. "That way they remain temples of the mind and soul."
      Beautifully said, Bohse!

      "On a practical note: who will continue to ensure the upkeep of these buildings?"
      Good question.
      Well, I guess there will always be candidates who see the beauty in these buildings.
      The book shop 'Waanders in de Broeren' was also taken over by another owner a few years ago.

      "Music to the ears."
      Yes, Portuguese is a beautiful language!
      As the movie's very short, I thought it was a nice introduction to the place (even if you dont understand what is being said) 😉

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  2. Replies
    1. Blij dat het artikel je bevallen is, Nathalie 😄
      Volgens mij was dit één van de artikels die ik jou op Hebban nog beloofd had (een hele tijd geleden al).
      'k Was het zeker niet vergeten, maar andere zaken kregen steeds voorrang.
      Nu is het er dus ein-de-lijk van gekomen!
      Fijn om je hier tegen te komen trouwens 😉

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