De Stanley Wood - Buenos Aires - 164, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10189868
Hello Comunity , Ruth here .This November 2024, together with my two sons and my sister Raiza, we had the opportunity to explore an architectural gem, El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore , located in the charming neighborhood of Recoleta in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The experience was breathtaking and has left a mark on our hearts.
The bookstore occupies a spectacular eclectic style building, which used to be a cinema-theater called Grand Splendid, inaugurated in 1919 and operated until 1982. Since then, it was dedicated exclusively to cinema until December 2000, when it reopened as Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid, preserving its magnificent original architecture.
Andrea, said to me : “If my dad comes to visit, he moves to the bookstore, he's a book eater”
Monumental! The view from the second floor is something to admire.
We have never been in such a huge bookstore... it is really overwhelming!
In this place, you really find what you least imagine. There are sections of books from all areas of knowledge, literature of all kinds, novels, poetry, philosophy from the most ancient to the most contemporary. And they don't forget the little ones, there are children's books, comics and music, even vinyl and much more!
And what to say about the dome, it`s just beautiful! It is pure art. In it, painted in oil in 1919, there is an allegorical representation of peace, associated with the end of the First World War. The figure of a woman is surrounded by garlands, flowers, clouds, doves and angels, symbolizing hope and having left behind the troubled war.
Wikipedia points out that in this mural “peace is represented by a sensual female figure painted on a staircase surrounded by flowers. The representatives of the world in conflict support her, celebrating the restoration of their power”. Truly, a restoration of the power of peace! What a meaningful painting.
No wonder that in 2008, the British newspaper The Guardian chose it as the second most beautiful bookstore in the world, and years later, in 2019, National Geographic recognized it as the most beautiful bookstore in the world.
While we were enjoying a delicious café con leche, which in Argentina would be called a “cortado”, Andrés ordered a pistachio coffee. What a delight!
In this picture, we can see that the velvet curtain is still preserved in the stage area, where today is the restaurant and confectionery. There, they placed a piano that accompanies with music those who sit down to enjoy their books, allowing them to read without any pressure to buy. You also have the option of reading in the stalls or in the boxes, which adds a special touch to the experience.
With this rich coffee and some delicious croissants, we say good bye and invite you to review our previous contents:
@andre3rosal3s/hello-there-i-m-andrea
@andre3rosal3s/millennials-concerns-about-autority
We will continue exploring Buenos Aires! Bye!