Russian National Library

  A Beacon of Knowledge: Historical Background Imagine the late 18th century. Catherine the Great envisions a public library open to everyone, regardless of status. That dream took root in 1795. A year later, under the guidance of architect Yegor Sokolov, construction began. Slowly, book by book, the Russian National Library came into being, evolving into one of the world’s great repositories of knowledge. This wasn’t merely about amassing books. It was a bold statement about the freedom of knowledge and education for all. The project placed Russia alongside giants like the British Museum Library and the Bibliothèque Nationale. It was never intended just for scholars; it was built for the people. And that spirit, a commitment to accessibility, still echoes today as students search for guidance and wrestle with academic demands. Architectural Style: Testimony to Timeless Elegance The Russian National Library isn’t just a place to store books; it’s an embodiment of classical ideals i...