The Gold Museum

So that rainy Saturday we drove to the centre, where we spent the afternoon looking at the exhibitions in the 4-storey Museo del Oro, or in English, the Gold Museum. It displays the biggest gold work collection in the world, and according to locals, is one of the must-see sights of the city.

The permanent exhibition allows one to discover the history of how gold and other metals were used by the pre-Hispanic societies who lived in what is now known as Colombia, before contact was made with Europe.

Five different categories tell about the mining and manufacturing techniques employed by the ancient metallurgists; how and in what contexts people used metals as part of their political and religious organisation; and explore the mythical subjects, shamanism, and the symbology of metals.

The Muisca Raft or Balsa Muisca in Spanish.

The pre-Columbian gold votive figure (above), drafted by the Muisca culture, is considered a significant piece of art because it is estimated that the figure was drawn between 600 and 1600 by lost-wax casting in gold with a small amount of copper, but even more importantly, because the figure refers to the ceremony of the legend of El Dorado. The legend took place near modern-day Bogotá, in Lake Guatavita.

Sala de muertos (Hall of Dead)

All the stories are so fascinating but four hours was not enough to go through the exhibition in-depth. You have to save some for the next time, as well, right? ;)

Inspiring surroundings, a couple of couples plus two photography fanatics equals a lot of pictures and posing!

When can we go again??