Mexico City Biblioteca Vasconcelos

The Biblioteca Vasconcelos is a large public library in the Buenavista neighborhood of Mexico City, opened in 2006 and designed by architect Alberto Kalach. Its main hall is a cathedral-like space where steel shelves seem to float in the air, and the structure is a favorite of photographers for its geometry. The building sits next to the Buenavista railway station and a botanical garden, and its collections hold hundreds of thousands of volumes, including some from private libraries and historic holdings. At the center of the hall hangs the Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco's sculpture Balena, a giant gray whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling, which creates a dramatic focal point. Multiple levels of walkways and glass-and-concrete walls let in diffused light, and the bookshelves are arranged in tiers with open views down to the ground floor. A visit takes one to two hours to walk through the halls, view Balena from different levels and explore the garden. The best photograph angles are from the upper walkways looking across the hall, and from the lower floor looking up at the skeleton. Entry is free during opening hours, and visitors may use the library with a valid ID, though some areas are restricted. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, when families and students fill the building. Bags may be checked at the entrance, and tripods and professional equipment may require permission. The library can be combined with a visit to the Museo del Chopo or Colonia Roma.