The Banco de la República Gold Museum not only preserves and investigates one of the most important collections of pre-Hispanic metallurgy in the world, it also makes that collection widely known and exhibits it. As its history, which dates back to 1939, has unfolded, so this institution has become a symbol of Colombia's cultural memory.

This page contains information which will enable you to prepare a visit to the Museum.

The Gold Museum exhibition invites you to discover the history of gold and other metals that were used by the pre-Hispanic societies who once lived in the territory now known as Colombia. The permanent exhibition is arranged in four exhibition galleries and one exploration gallery:

The Working of Metals describes the mining and manufacturing techniques employed by the ancient metallurgists.

People and Gold in Pre-Hispanic Colombia reveals how and in what contexts people used metals as part of their political and religious organisation.

Cosmology and Symbolism explores mythical subjects, shamanism, and the symbology of metals.

The Offering immerses the visitor in the world of ceremonies at which offerings were made.

The Exploratorium encourages interactivity and reflection on the diversity and meaning of the heritage that is preserved in the Museum.

The exhibitions were totally renewed in November 2008.

Entrance to the Museum is open:

Closed on Mondays, including public holiday Mondays. Open with public holiday timetable on Maundy Thursday (April 1st), and20th July. Closed 1st January, Good Friday (April 2nd), 1st May, Mother's Day (May 9th), and 24th, 25th and 31th December. Also on election days (March 14th, May 30th).

See the Guided Tours page

Free Entrance
For children under the age of 12 years and adults over 60.
For not for profit organizations with previous appointment.
For members of the Friends of the Banco de la República Art Collections Foundation.
ICOM card holders.

Take a taxi to "carrera quinta con calle dieciséis" or use the Transmilenio mass transport system when travelling to the Gold Museum. You can enter the system at any station on paying the fare of Col$1,600, and are free to transfer between routes. Consult the maps at stations.

Take a Transmilenio bus with destination Las Aguas and get off at 'Museo del Oro' station, at the junction of Jiménez and 7th Avenues, just a few steps from the Museum. Just beware of pickpockets.

In the shop at the first floor of the Museum you will find books and booklets about pre-Columbian goldwork from Colombia, and illustrated books and luxury books about different aspects of the country. Also certified replicas of selected gems from the Museum's collection and Colombian arts and crafts that make a wonderful gift, as well as numerous souvenirs of your visit to the Museum, such as pencils and erasers, Italian silk scarves and ties, and mugs and bookmarks with beautiful pre-Columbian designs on them. Sorry, no Internet sales.

The telephone number of the shop is (571) 2866107.

The Gold Museum's Café - Restaurant is a pleasant place to relax after your visit, or alternatively it offers you the chance to combine the Museum experience with a lunch or dinner in a very special environment.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, same opening times as the Museum.

Take a glimpse of the menu.

The telephone number of the restaurant is (571) 2829205.

Photographing and video recording the exhibitions is permitted, without the use of flash or tripods, provided it is for private, non-professional and non-commercial use.

In the case of professional photography or television, please write to prensaBLAA@banrep.gov.co about the intended use. We may also offer you, for sale, a wide range of photographs of objects in the Museum, for publication.

We will be pleased to attend journalists who write to prensaBLAA@banrep.gov.co.

You can write to us by post at the following address:

Museo del Oro
Banco de la República
Calle 16 No. 5-41
Bogotá, 1
Colombia

Fax (571)2847450

To contact us by e-mail, see our Write to us page.