Bogota is full of interesting and unique places to visit and explore, including many important museums. In this article, we want to highlight our top five recommendations for museums to visit during your tour in Bogota.
Gold Museum
One of the most famous and well-known museums in Bogota is the Museo del Oro (the Gold Museum) that is located in the historic city centre of Bogota and is part of the network of museums that belong to the Banco de la República (Bank of the Republic). As its name suggests, the Gold Museum showcases an incredible collection of impressive gold pieces from pre-Hispanic groups in Colombia, including one of the most intricate pieces “la balsa muisca” (the Muisca raft), as well as a varied collection of other pre-Hispanic artefacts and metalwork collections. Recently renovated in 2008, the museum is free to the public on Sundays, closed on Mondays, and has a small entrance fee.
International Emerald Foundation Museum
Across the street from the Gold Museum, you will find the Fundación Museo Internacional de la Esmeralda (International Emerald Foundation Museum). As Colombia is the world’s largest emerald-producing country, you will want to make sure to visit this museum, where you will have the chance to learn about life in the Colombian emerald mines and the history of emerald mining in Colombia as well as observe and admire up close some of the best and most prized examples of Colombian emeralds.
Botero Museum
Within a short walking distance of the Gold Museum and the Emerald Foundation Museum, you will find the Botero Museum, located in the historic neighbourhood of the Candelaria. If you are interested in art and want to see a collection of works from one of the most famous Colombian painters, Fernando Botero, this museum should be at the top of your list. Created after Botero made a generous donation of paintings and sculptures to the Banco de la República, the Botero Musuem is free to the public and open every day of the week except Tuesdays.
Currency House
On the same premise as Botero Museum is a small, unique museum called the Casa de Moneda (Currency House). This small museum is also free, and, like the Botero Museum and Gold Museum, belongs to the network of museums run by the Banco de la República. In the Casa de Moneda, you will find a striking collection of Colombian currency, including examples of currency dating back to the Spanish conquest. As Colombian currency changes quite frequently, the collection is extensive and the history behind some of the currency will be sure to surprise you. Also free to the public, there’s no excuse for missing the museum!
National Museum
One more museum well worth a visit in Bogota is the Museo Nacional (National Museum). Located in the city centre on the Carrera Séptima, the National Museum is the largest and oldest museum in the Colombian capital. The Museo Nacional exhibits a wide range of artwork, anthropological and ethnical artefacts, historical documents, indigenous cultural pieces, and several temporary exhibitions that exhibit both national and international collections. Like several of the previously mentioned museums, the National Museum is free to the public for the entire 2014 year.
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