“A true gem, not to be missed – the whole theatre restored to its original magnificence!”
El Ateneo Grand Splendid - Buenos Aires
The building housing El Ateneo Grand Splendid was opened as a theatre called ‘Teatro Gran Splendid’ in 1919. The building was then converted into a book/music shop by Fernando Manzone, and in 2007 it sold over 700,000 books. More than one million people visit the bookstore annually, and it is one of the best known bookshops in Argentina. In 2008, The Guardian placed it as the second most beautiful bookshop in the world.
Some of the seating in the bookstore still include the intact theatre boxes, and where the stage once was, there is now a cage. A lot of the decoration of the theatre still remains which is what makes this bookstore so amazing – including the stage curtain, the auditororium lighting, the ceiling and ornate carvings.
Whether you are a book lover, or an architecture geek, don’t miss the chance to visit the bookstore if you are in Beunos Aires!
Address: Av Sta Fe 1860, 1123 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00am – 10:00pm, Friday and Saturday 9:00am – 12:00am, Sunday 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Telephone: +51 11 4813 6052