Luis Angel Arango Library
Luis Angel Arango Library
4.5
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Neighbourhood: La Candelaria
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4.5
451 reviews
Excellent
301
Very good
130
Average
18
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Goal100Countries
Cheltenham, UK599 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
This library is marvelously big and has a number of floors each with a different style of books and topics. They also have a lot of local art and a few museum-type exhibits. The library has a very modern decor and has a lot of places to kick up and relax.
Written 17 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrMaxR
New York15 contributions
If your sense of hope about Colombia's future needs a boost, head down to the Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango. This great library, one of the largest and most visited in Latin America, sports a collection of over a million books and is swarmed over by crowds of young Colombian students, eagerly pursuing their studies -- a moving sight in a nation where, for much of her her history, seeking the truth could cost you your life.
Don't be put off by the guards at the door -- they'll search you as you come in and go out, but visitors are welcome here. As you enter, pop in the gift shop on the right; always something interesting on sale. Further inside the library, there's a nice cafe on the first floor, and way up on the top floor, an economical little restaurant with some of the best views of colonial Bogota in the city.
As you wind your up from floor to floor, stop to see the collections and exhibitions scattered around the library. A large concert hall is off to one side, and, across the street, grafted on the Botero museum, the library has more exhibition space, all well-worth visiting.
Bogota, it turns out, is increasingly a place for books. Also worth visiting is the beautiful old Biblioteca Nacional, its once-fine gardens out front obliterated by the construction of an expressway, but still stuffed with fascinating books and worthwhile exhibits. And the stunning new Biblioteca Virgilio Barco, designed by the always-first-rate Rogelio Salmona, will leave you convinced that Colombia is a nation striving for 21st century with more promise than the disastrous 20th.
Don't be put off by the guards at the door -- they'll search you as you come in and go out, but visitors are welcome here. As you enter, pop in the gift shop on the right; always something interesting on sale. Further inside the library, there's a nice cafe on the first floor, and way up on the top floor, an economical little restaurant with some of the best views of colonial Bogota in the city.
As you wind your up from floor to floor, stop to see the collections and exhibitions scattered around the library. A large concert hall is off to one side, and, across the street, grafted on the Botero museum, the library has more exhibition space, all well-worth visiting.
Bogota, it turns out, is increasingly a place for books. Also worth visiting is the beautiful old Biblioteca Nacional, its once-fine gardens out front obliterated by the construction of an expressway, but still stuffed with fascinating books and worthwhile exhibits. And the stunning new Biblioteca Virgilio Barco, designed by the always-first-rate Rogelio Salmona, will leave you convinced that Colombia is a nation striving for 21st century with more promise than the disastrous 20th.
Written 31 May 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lgtallie
Portland, OR100 contributions
Go to the fifth floor to enjoy the view! We took the stairs and got a bit winded due to the altitude, but once I got to the top I noticed an elevator.
Written 3 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ITL57
New York, United States79 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
A large complex filled with beautiful books, and art exhibitions. We were fortunate enough to see a photography exhibition by Sady Gonzalez, a photo journalist who's images of the 1948 revolution was joined by some of his photos of Bogata's elite. It was a sensational exhibition, and I've been googling his images ever since my visit. The place is a tranquil, welcoming oasis, a true community center for Bogata. Highly recommended.
Written 31 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ocelot
10 contributions
Jul 2022
Probably a very nice library, but not a lot there for visitors to see. We visited in the evening, which may have limited the exhibitions.
Written 4 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands5,740 contributions
Dec 2019
Named after a bank director with an interest in culture, this is a modern library located in Bogota's historic center. Colombian architect Germán Samper Gnecco and others were responsible for the design (mid 1960s).
There are many facilities such as a concerthall, reading rooms, bookshop, cafetaria. I focused on the exhibits, most notably a wonderful collection of photos, drawings and book fragments on mariposa (butterflies). Some of the works are in digital form such as the 1562 book with beautiful illustrations of fruits and animals among them butterflies prepared for the Habsburg emperor Ferdinand. Unbelievable that Joris Hoefnagel, Flemish painter and miniaturist from Antwerp (now in Belgium) was able to pull this of more than 450 years ago.
There are many facilities such as a concerthall, reading rooms, bookshop, cafetaria. I focused on the exhibits, most notably a wonderful collection of photos, drawings and book fragments on mariposa (butterflies). Some of the works are in digital form such as the 1562 book with beautiful illustrations of fruits and animals among them butterflies prepared for the Habsburg emperor Ferdinand. Unbelievable that Joris Hoefnagel, Flemish painter and miniaturist from Antwerp (now in Belgium) was able to pull this of more than 450 years ago.
Written 12 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
purplehaze
Rio de Janeiro, RJ18 contributions
Nov 2019
a fantastic place to visit, or spend an afternoon. Don't miss the Observatory deck on the sixth floor. If you can find the video room, they have a horde of old documentaries that you never can find on Netflix. The concerts, held about every week, bring in international level classical musicians. I live right next door so I am there three times a week.
Written 15 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AAnzolaM
Bogota, Colombia6 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
A huge public library, concert hall, art exhibits and more... all inside a beautiful iconic building.
Written 12 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theawesometraveller
Bergen, Norway62 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
I walked through the Library, just to get a feel of it. And also because you can't exit the same way you entered, so you have to walk to the official exit. Weird.
For a tourist the library isn't interesing. Probably the most relevant there is the book store, for those looking for wide variety of literature, in Spanish. Otherwise, cross the street and go to the Botero museum instead.
For a tourist the library isn't interesing. Probably the most relevant there is the book store, for those looking for wide variety of literature, in Spanish. Otherwise, cross the street and go to the Botero museum instead.
Written 21 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
63oliverb
Bogota, Colombia78 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
Opposite the Botero museum this is a great library/art exhibit/cultural centre .... I've done some workshops there with some students and really enjoyed!!
Written 17 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hola que tal, me pueden orientar que Dias esta abierta en que horarios y que costo tiene? gracias
Written 19 September 2016
hola buen día. quisiera saber si entrar a la sala de exposiciones tiene algun costo, y si alguien sabe que costo tiene el parqueadero en este lugar
Written 22 August 2015
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