El Ateneo Grand Splendid is one of the must-see landmarks in Buenos Aires and it’s often hailed as the most beautiful bookstore in the world. If you ever find yourself in the capital of Argentina, here are three reasons why you shouldn’t miss it for the world.
Books, Books, Books!
The main reason for visiting El Ateneo Grand Splendid is pretty obvious. It’s a bookstore, so most people coming here are looking for some reading material. The store stocks around 120,000 books, and you should make sure to take one home as a souvenir or have fun reading at the bookstore bar.
Rich History
Before becoming a part of one of Argentina’s most popular bookstore chains, the building that houses El Ateneo Grand Splendid was an ornate theater. It opened its doors in 1919 and it could welcome 1,000 guests at the time before closing its doors.
Amazing Architecture
Part of El Ateneo Grand Splendid’s charm is the breathtaking building it’s housed in, and its architectural beauty knows no bounds. From the beautiful ceiling and crimson curtains to vintage carvings and auditorium lighting, the spirit of the former theater still lives on in this building because many architectural details remained intact.