# Botero Museum — Bogotá, Colombia

> The Botero Museum in Bogotá's La Candelaria district opened in 2000 after the Colombian artist Fernando Botero (born 1932) donated 123 of his own paintings and sculptures to the Banco de la República, alongside 85 works from his personal collection of international masters. The building — a restored colonial house dating to 1757 — is a landmark of colonial Bogotá architecture. Admission is entirely free.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday–Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Closed Tuesdays
- Admission: ✓ Free admission
- Address: Cra. 4 #16-00, Bogotá, Colombia
- Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
- Official website: https://www.banrepcultural.org/bogota/museo-botero
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Mona Lisa, Age Twelve — Fernando Botero · 1978
- The Musicians — Fernando Botero · 1979
- Bullfight — Fernando Botero · 1984
- Head of a Woman — Pablo Picasso · 1962

## FAQ
**Who is Fernando Botero?**
Fernando Botero (born 1932, Medellín) is Colombia's most internationally recognised artist, famous for his 'Boterismo' style — monumental, rounded, voluminous figures applied to portraiture, landscapes, and social and political subjects. He is the only Latin American artist to have had a permanent exhibition on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

**Is the Botero Museum really free?**
Yes — admission is entirely free every day the museum is open. It is one of the few institutions in the world offering a collection of this quality with no charge whatsoever.

**Can I visit the Gold Museum and Botero Museum in the same visit?**
Absolutely — the two museums are a 5-minute walk apart in La Candelaria. Most visitors combine them into a half-day cultural tour of central Bogotá, also taking in the Plaza de Bolívar.

**How long should I spend at Botero Museum?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.

**What is Botero Museum best known for?**
The Botero Museum in Bogotá's La Candelaria district opened in 2000 after the Colombian artist Fernando Botero (born 1932) donated 123 of his own paintings and sculptures to the Banco de la República, alongside 85 works from his personal collection of international masters. The building — a restored colonial house dating to 1757 — is a landmark of colonial Bogotá architecture. Admission is entirely free. Key highlights include Botero's paintings and sculptures — 123 donated works, International collection — Picasso, Dalí, Miró, Chagall, Monet, Colonial architecture of the 1757 Casa de la Moneda.

**How do I get tickets for Botero Museum?**
✓ Free admission Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.banrepcultural.org/bogota/museo-botero

**Why is the Botero Museum free?**
Botero donated his collection on condition that admission remain free in perpetuity. The Banco de la República — Colombia's central bank — operates the museum as a public cultural service, similar to its free Gold Museum nearby.

**Is La Candelaria safe for tourists?**
La Candelaria is safe during daylight hours with normal urban precautions. Visit during the day, stay on main streets, and avoid displaying valuables. The museum area around Calle 11 and Plaza de Bolívar is well patrolled and heavily visited.

**How does Botero's style develop across the collection?**
The ground floor shows Botero's career from early 1950s experiments through mature social commentary. Early works show the evolution of his 'Boterismo' style; later works include the Abu Ghraib prison series (2005) — unexpectedly political works from an artist known for gentleness.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/botero-museum/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.