Discover one of the world’s most important exhibitions of pre-Hispanic gold, and learn about the indigenous societies that once inhabited Colombia.
Step into pre-Hispanic history at the Gold Museum, which houses a collection of precious artefacts. Discover the world of pre-Columbian South America, where indigenous tribes interacted and traded their metalwork. This extensive collection boasts 50,000 artefacts, 30,000 of which are gold.
Start on the second floor at The Working of Metals exhibition. Uncover the ancient practices of mining, smelting and metalworking that produced these tribal trinkets. Nearby, the People and Gold exhibition displays the metals and objects that were held in such high regard by pre-Hispanic societies. Browse a collection of ceramics dating back to 1500 B.C. Also of note is a display collection of gold masks and jewellery dating between 200 B.C. to A.D. 1200.
Learn about how these tribes perceived time, space and spirituality in the Cosmology and Symbolism exhibition. Browse handcrafted artefacts depicting animals and plants, hunting tools, tribal crowns and funerary items. The Offering exhibition pays homage to the long tradition of shamanism in pre-Hispanic societies. Take a seat and experience the intoxicating atmosphere of these rituals with a sound and light show.
End your visit at the Exploratorium on the fourth floor. Here, kids and adults alike will love interactive exhibits that educate as they entertain. Temporary exhibits bring fresh displays to the museum throughout the year.
Find the Gold Museum a short distance north of Bogotá’s historic La Candelaria district. Walk there from major Bogota attractions like Plaza de Bolívar and the Botero Museum. Otherwise, catch public buses or the metro to a nearby stop.
The museum is open daily except for Mondays. The museum usually charges admission, but seniors and infants get free entry. The museum also offers free entry on Sundays, although you should expect large crowds. Free English-spoken guided tours are run from Tuesday to Saturday.
