Watch ancient minting machines in action, discover Columbia's economic history and collect a commemorative coin at the House of Money.
The Case de la Moneda was once the national mint of Columbia, but today houses a currency museum. Explore this historic landmark and see a collection of over 19,000 artefacts. Inspect old-fashioned money-making machines and spot the coins of the past centuries some have been preserved since the 17th century.
The exhibits of this museum, whose name appropriately means the "house of money", are spread over two floors. Learn about pre-Columbian currency and traded goods through to the modern day in 10 exhibition rooms. On the first floor, displays focus on the earliest years of Columbian minting and the colonial era. Upstairs, discover Columbia's economic journey from independence to the modern day. Information boards cater for English speakers.
Peruse a collection of precious gold coins minted in 1622. Highlights nearby include two hand-hammered coins that date back to 1657 and 1668. Notice the shifting styles of coins and banknotes. Displays provide contextual information on how these currencies were shaped by Columbia's social developments of the time, like slavery, exports and railroad construction.
The Machine Room houses the contraptions that punched, cut, rolled and printed coins and banknotes. Admire these century-old machines in action. Pick up a free commemorative coin before you leave.
Find the Case de la Moneda near Bogotá’s Manzana Cultural (Cultural Square) in the historic La Candelaria district. Walk there from Plaza de Bolívar or catch frequent bus and tram services that stop nearby. Drivers can park for a fee at the Luis Angel Arango Library.
Case de la Moneda is open daily except for Mondays. Tours and admission are free of charge, though tours may need to be booked. Tour times and opening hours can be found on the museum’s official website.
