The highlight of my trip to Buenos Aires was a pilgrimage to El Ateneo, considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, a bookstore that has been transformed from a theater. Here, one can fully sense the European cultural influence on Argentina.
◦ Even More "European" than Europe
Due to its colonial past and significant immigration, primarily from Italy and Spain, Argentina is not only a country that is deeply Europeanized in its ethnicity, but also its streets and cityscapes exude a distinctly European feel. Some buildings are even more magnificent than those in Europe! El Ateneo is a prime example of this.
◦ One of the Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World
This building was completed in 1919 and once served as a venue for tango performances. In 2000, it was converted into the bookstore that we see today. The former theater seating has been replaced with rows of bookshelves, and the once boxes have been transformed into quiet, private reading areas. What impressed me the most was the transformation of the stage into a café. The theatrical lighting inside the café created a captivating atmosphere.
Teatro Colón | The Third Largest Opera House in the World
El Ateneo Av. Santa Fe 1860, C1123 CABA