Take Me to El Ateneo–ahora mismo!

Posted: September 26, 2010 in Uncategorized
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No, not the one in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

This one is probably more interesting (no offense meant to my Ateneo friends, you guys know I would have bled blue if it were my choice some nine years ago–but of course, bleeding maroon eventually proved to be one of the best things to happen to me), and it is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Take a look for yourselves:

Photo credits: book lovers never go to bed alone

Isn’t this a glimpse of heaven or what?

The original structure was completed in 1919 and launched as Teatro Gran Splendid. In 2000, the structure was leased, renovated, and converted into a bookshop, now known as El Ateneo Gran Splendid. The bookstore obviously still retained much of the ornate designs from the glory days of the theater, and the box seats are being used as reading rooms.

The store has made it to the Top 10 list of the world’s best bookshops, and it’s not hard to see why. What I would give to be able to go to this place! That’s it, time to plan a South American sojourn.

Comments
  1. Yes! Heaven! I am sure I would sing Alleluia in here. Glorious books housed in a fantabulous place.

    • Mika says:

      Haha, I don’t know if I’ll spend more time taking photos or actually flipping through books.

      But lounging in the box seats to read a book would be a good idea.

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