Saturday, July 16, 2016

El Ateneo Grand Splendid - Wow!

I know it's been so long since I posted here! I've been busy having surgery and recovering ... yes, I'm fine ... but when I discovered this wonderful, exquisite bookstore via my friend and sharer-of-all-things-spectacular, Shirley, I knew I had to share it with you!

Just a reminder - click on any photo and will magically grow for you!
Tucked away in Barrio Norte, Buenos Aires is a beautiful bookshop called El Ateneo Grand Splendid. It is built within the almost 100-year-old Grand Splendid Theater, which opened in 1919.
The theatre was later converted into a cinema and eventually, in 2000, it was converted into the El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookshop, which currently welcomes over one million visitors each year.
The stunning building was originally designed by architects Peró and Torres Armengol, then later converted from a cinema into a bookshop by architect Fernando Manzone, who retained many parts of the theatre, including the stage, the balconies, the incredible architectural details and even the red curtains.
 In 2008 El Ateneo Grand Splendid was named the second most beautiful bookshop in the world by The Guardian, and that’s no surprise considering it’s elaborate décor and classic 1920’s theater feel.


 According to a recent study by the World Cities Culture Forum, Buenos Aires has more bookshops per inhabitant than any other city in the world. With a population of around 2.8 million, Buenos Aires has at least 734 bookstores – roughly 25 bookshops for every 100,000 inhabitants. Worldwide, only Hong Kong comes close, with 22 bookshops per 100,000, followed by Madrid in a distant third with just 16 and compared to a mere 10 bookshops for every 100,000 for London. Sadly, America isn't even on the list.
You can find out more about this fantastic bookstore at their official website.

Thanks for visiting Enchanted Revelries today - it's good to be back in the writer's chair! And thanks to Shirley for introducing me to El Ateneo!

...now, go make something beautiful!
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan