Freestyle emphasizes the importance of culture as a fundamental skill in language acquisition, alongside speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Their Museum Series tour highlights this by exploring cultural landmarks around the world. The latest installment takes readers to Bogotá, Colombia, where the Gold Museum (el Museo del Oro) is located.
The museum houses the world’s largest collection of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts. Visitors can learn about gold’s historical significance to indigenous cultures as a symbol of religious and political power. A notable exhibit is the Gold Room, featuring over 12,000 golden objects displayed under low light to enhance their brilliance.
A key attraction at the museum is an artifact linked to the legend of El Dorado. This myth originated from tales of a Muisca chieftain who covered himself in gold and offered treasures into Laguna Guatavita during ceremonial rituals. While no city made entirely of gold was ever found, this ritual inspired stories that captured imaginations for centuries. The actual golden raft used in these ceremonies is now on display at el Museo del Oro.
Beyond gold artifacts, the museum also exhibits items crafted from copper, silver, and platinum. These pieces showcase the advanced metallurgical skills of indigenous groups long before Spanish colonization began 1,500 years ago.
For those planning a visit to el Museo del Oro, some basic Spanish phrases might be helpful: “¿Cuánto es la entrada?” means “How much is the entrance fee?” while “Me gustaría una entrada, por favor” translates to “I would like a ticket please.” Additionally, asking “¿Aceptan pago con tarjeta?” will determine if card payments are accepted.
Shayna Stewart authored this segment on Freestyle’s Culture Series. Her background includes learning Spanish while living in multilingual communities across Central and South America and earning her CELTA certification in Buenos Aires after completing her B.A. in Anthropology at Oregon State University.
Stay tuned for more insights into Latin America’s must-see museums in future installments of Freestyle’s Culture Series.
