14 Incredible Libraries Around the World

These pillars of higher learning are also home to some of the world's most incredible architecture. Below is a small collection of stunning libraries around the globe. From the historical to the modern, these centres of knowledge and learning also preserve the history and culture of their respective periods. Personally, I would find it hard to concentrate in some of these places, they are too beautiful for the eye not to wander. More images after the break... 1. University Club Library - New York City, United States Photograph by Peter Bond Photograph by Peter Bond 2. Canadian Library of Parliament - Ottawa, Canada Photograph by James Gillard Photograph by James Gillard 3. Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library - New Haven, Connecticut Photograph by Lauren Manning Photograph by KAALpurush 4. Iowa State Capital Law Library - United States Photograph by Tani Livengood 5. Suzzalo Library at the University of Washington - Seattle, Washington Photograph by Sam Photograph by Sam 6. Admont Abbey Library - Austria Photograph by Ognipensierovo 7. State Library - Victoria, Australia  Photograph by Waltonics 8. Library at El Real Monasterio de El Escorial - Madrid, Spain Photograph by Jose Maria Cuellar 9. José Vasconcelos Library - Mexico City, Mexico14  Photograph by Pedro Vasquez Colmenares Photograph by Aurelio Asiain 10. Real Gabinete Português de Leitura - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  Photograph by Ruy Barbosa Pinto 11. National Library of Finland - Helsinki, Finland Photograph by Marj-Liisa 12. Mitchell Library - Sydney, Australia Photograph by Christopher Chan 13. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at University of Toronto - Toronto, Canada Photograph by Fadi J 14. George Peabody Library - Baltimore, Maryland  Photograph by Danielle King 15. Strahov Theological Hall - Prague, Czech Republic

SaiL Amsterdam — Parade of ships

SAIL Amsterdam is a large maritime event held every five years in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Tall ships from all over the world visit the city to moor in its Eastern harbour, and people can then visit the ships for four days (free of charge). The event was organised for the first time in 1975 to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Amsterdam, under the name 'Sail Amsterdam 700'. At that time, interest in tall ships, which had sunk to a low since the 1930s when the last commercial tall ships had been built, was starting to rise[citation needed]. The success of Sail Amsterdam 700 led to the establishment of the Stichting Sail Amsterdam (SSA, Foundation Sail Amsterdam). More images after the break...

Sail is one of the largest maritime manifestations in the world, and the largest event of any kind in the Netherlands. Tens of tall ships and hundreds of other historical ships are involved. Numerous other ships and boats are present besides the participating ships, amounting to 8000 boats in the 2000 edition.

Lesser events take place during the festival, involving small sailboats, sailor choirs or re-enactments of naval battles. The Sail In or Parade of Sail on the first day attracts many other small ships, including creations like a sailing organ (with trumpet accompaniment) or a train converted to a ship. On the next to last day there is a naval pageant and on the last day the 'Sail Out'. The Next Sail Amsterdam will be held from 20 August to 24 August 2015.