El Ateneo Grand Splendid, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world

10:47 AM Sandra Gutrejde 0 Comments



El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore, in Buenos Aires, occupies the second place in the list of 10 fairest bookstores in the world, according to Sean Dodson from British newspaper The Guardian.

The building which hosts the bookstore today was inaugurated in 1919 as an elegant theater, the "Grand Splendid", designed by architects Peró and Torres Armengol, with 4 rows of theater boxes, 500 seats, a dome painted by Italian Nazareno Orlandi, and sculptures by Troiani to the sides of the stage, and on the Greek style front marquee. In the year 2000, the building was acquired by the bookstore and restored to maintain its original features.

According to Sean Dodson, "El Ateneo has retained its former splendor, with high painted ceiling, original balconies and ornate carvings intact. Even the crimson stage curtains remain part of the show. Comfy chairs are scattered throughout, the stage is utilized as a reading area and cafe, and even better, the former theatre boxes are used as tiny reading rooms".

The first place in Dodson´s list is for Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen in Maastricht, followed by: El Ateneo in Buenos Aires, Livraria Lello in Porto, Secret Headquarters comic bookstore in Los Angeles, Borders in Glasgow, Scarthin's in the Peak District, Posada in Brussels, El lugar de la Mancha in Mexico, Keibunsya in Kyoto, and Hatchards in London.





Location: Av Santa Fe 1860, Buenos Aires
Opening times: Monday to Thursday: 9 am to 10 pm. Friday and Saturday: 9 am till midnight. Sundays: Noon to 10 pm.

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