A Bit of Rome in Vancouver, BC

Tucked in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Public Library Central Branch is more than just a place for books - it's a jaw dropping architectural marvel inspired by the Roman Collosseum. Whether you're a tourist seeking an instagram-worthy spot in Vancouver, a digital nomad needing a scenic work hub or a local exploring the city's most unique free attraction, this iconic library delivers culture, calm, and creativity in one breathtaking space.

If you've been to Rome, Italy or have seen the hit movie Gladiators starring Russell Crowe as Maximus, you would have be familiar with the infamous Colloseum. The Colloseum was used as an entertainment arena for gladiator fights, battle ships simulations and bloodbath tournaments. Silently in the outskirts of the downtown core in Vancouver, BC, the public library is a striking resemblance of Rome's Colloseum.

From the streets of Vancouver, the architecture is really something to marvel at. 

Vancouver central public library resembles the Roman coliseum.

Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the library was built in 26 months compared to the colloseum in Rome that took over 8 years. After improvements to the colloseum, it took an additional 2 years to complete so the total years to build was 10 years. Safdie was given the project to expand the central library and he envisioned the design to look like the classic colloseum. The project cost $107 million dollars.

I welcome you to come to Vancouver, BC, Canada and walk through the central public library. Get a cup of coffee and sit outside of the library and enjoy the glass roof above you.


The library is free to enter but don't bring your ghetto blaster in as the librarians need the noise to stay out. People use the library to research, study and to look things up. Whenever I get a chance to be in the downtown, I try to stop by the library to look things up or to enjoy the rooftop garden where you can explore and enjoy the outdoors.

If you do come to the VPL, please drop me a comment on this post telling me what you think about the library and how it compares to Rome's Colloseum. 









Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada

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