Virgilio Barco Library

With its large reflecting pools, geometric shapes reminiscent of indigenous traditions, and enormous windows that flood readers with natural light, the Virgilio Barco Library is one of the most important works of the Colombian-French architect Rogelio Salmona. A masterpiece of local architecture, it was inaugurated in 2001 and is located within the Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park complex.

For its construction, which covers 16,000 square meters, Salmona ensured the building would blend seamlessly with the public space, creating a series of geographical, landscape, historical, and experiential values.

Its location will surprise you, as it is surrounded by gardens and sports and recreational facilities. The exterior is striking, presented as a three-story circular stone structure. Its roofs are covered with tiles that evoke the amphorae of the pre-Columbian Quimbaya culture. And its main entrance completes the aesthetic. It's spacious, with a wide variety of native vegetation, a very long corridor, and steps surrounded by beautiful water features. It seems as if knowledge and art spring forth like water itself.

If its facade is beautiful, with its spiral shape, reflecting pools, and pathways, its interior is even more so. Four rooms stand out: the general room, which, with more than 600 workstations, offers information in all areas of knowledge; the children's room, which aims to foster reading habits in young children and family bonding; the Bogotá room, a space conducive to the development of civic culture, thanks to its specialized collection on Bogotá and Cundinamarca; and finally, you can enjoy the video library and the sound library. 

The Virgilio Barco Library is a world of knowledge that you can't miss. It receives a million visitors a year and, as if that weren't enough, boasts a collection of more than 97,000 bibliographic and audiovisual resources. In addition to cultural and recreational activities for those passionate about learning, its interconnected terraces allow visitors to enjoy a privileged panoramic view of the city.

Take advantage of your visit to Bogotá and explore this temple of knowledge. More information at: https://biblored.gov.co/bibliotecas/biblioteca-virgilio