it has been built using a beautiful shade of limestone, and has a number of statues adorning its facade, including sculptures portraying the nobleman and military commander who first 'discovered' Brazil, Pablo Alvarez Cabral, the great poet, Luís de Camões, the politician, Infante Dom Henrique de Avis, Duke of Viseu known as Henry the Navigator, and the Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama.

the library's interior continues its elegant theme, as a stunning example of neo-manueline style, spread across four floors, with absorbing bookshelf galleries, huge reading rooms, and extravagant chandeliers.