Mirabilia
6364 Temples of Knowledge
Art and Science
Texts by: Stefano Salis, António Filipe Pimentel, Alberto Manguel
2023 / 168 PAGES
Devoted to the most renowned Portuguese libraries, this volume details the key role held by knowledge preservation – both as to the epistemological meaning and to the aesthetic dimension – from ancient times until today.
This volume retraces the history of libraries and their transformation – over the centuries – into temples of knowledge, underscoring the almost sacred beauty of some of these buildings. The text by journalist and writer Stefano Salis follows the evolution of the concept of book, library and librarian; the one by art historian António Filipe Pimentel focuses on Portuguese libraries. Last but not least, Alberto Manguel describes the ups and downs of his personal library, establishing a connection with the universal history of libraries. Stunning photographs by Massimo Listri, portraying the most beautiful and picturesque rooms and ambiences of historic Portuguese libraries, complete the volume.