The biggest library in Latin America was founded in 1810 by D. João VI, the King of Portugal. The National Library – or Biblioteca Nacional, as we call it in Portuguese - has an archive of almost 9 million items with rare books, manuscripts, original letters written by Princess Isabel, the first newspapers printed in the country, and two copies of the precious Mainz Psalter Bible, printed in 1492. By law, a copy of every book published in Brazil must be held in the library. As the oldest cultural institution in the country, during your visit you see Brazil, quite literally, through the pages of history.