Read the following passage:
The old library was a sanctuary for book lovers. Its walls were lined with towering shelves, crammed with volumes spanning generations. As the sun filtered through the dusty windows, it illuminated the countless stories just waiting to be uncovered. On a quiet afternoon, a curious girl named Clara wandered in, her eyes wide with wonder. She couldn't help but appreciate the overwhelming presence of literary history swirling around her, enticing her to dive into the myriad of realms that books promised.
In the context of the passage, what is the closest synonym for the word sanctuary as used in the sentence?