El Ateneo Grand Splendid: Where Bibliophiles Go When They Die
One of the world’s great bookstores is in downtown Buenos Aires. There are half a dozen El Ateneo locations in the city, but the most well-known is the one at the intersection of Avenida Sante Fe and Avenida Cabildo. The owners bought a historic theater called the Grand Splendid, restored it, and turned it into the largest bookstore in the city.
You can read books in cushy chair in the opera boxes and visit the cafe located behind the curtain on the stage. The ceiling is somewhat domed and painted by an Italian artist. To be perfectly honest, although it’s probably the largest bookstore in the city they could do better…the first two floors are books, the third floor is CDs and DVDs and the fourth floor is empty and closed. Lets fill this place to the top with books, ok?
If you like the look of this place, I found an article about some other amazing bookstores. I only wish I had time this summer to see the one in Maastricht!
