Here’s Why You Must Visit Mexico City’s Interstellar Library: A Journey Through Time and Space

① The library famous for its connection to _Interstellar_

Located in Mexico City, the “Biblioteca Vasconcelos” is renowned for connecting to the blockbuster movie “Interstellar.” Once you step inside the library, you can easily understand why.

Biblioteca Vasconcelos is a public library in the northern part of Mexico City. The library was built to honor José Vasconcelos, who greatly influenced the development of Mexico. José Vasconcelos was a philosopher, the Minister of Education, and the National University of Mexico president.

Under the visionary leadership of President Vicente Fox, the library was established. It was designed by Mexican architect Alberto Kalach, who was selected in October 2003 from 592 applicants in an international architectural competition.

Construction of the library began in January 2004. Although it opened in 2006, the library’s modern interior continues to impress. President Vicente Fox graced the completion ceremony with his presence.

A significant amount of money was invested in establishing the library, which had a considerable impact on the finances of Mexico City. Given the construction cost of approximately $720 million (about 850 billion won), it is recognized as one of the world’s most famous libraries. The library closed due to various problems after its completion but reopened in November 2008.

Spanning seven buildings, the Biblioteca Vasconcelos is home to a vast collection of over 600,000 books.
As one of the “Top 10 Beautiful Libraries in the World”, it has established itself as a landmark in Mexico City.

② A renowned landmark in Mexico City

The exterior of Biblioteca Vasconcelos doesn’t differ much from other libraries. However, as you step inside, it reveals a captivating and unique landscape. The interior features an immense bookshelf that seems to float mid-air, overwhelming the space.

The bookshelves are designed to appear as if they are hanging instead of being on the floor. They give off a thrilling sense of impending fall. The unique structure of the Biblioteca Vasconcelos gives the feeling of transcending time and space as if you’ve entered another world. Thanks to its geometric structure, it offers an otherworldly experience.

One can easily recall scenes from the movie “Interstellar,” where the protagonist, Cooper, falls into a black hole. Cooper enters a five-dimensional space and reveals the secret of the universe to save humanity by pushing shelves before his daughter. This scene is a crucial moment in the movie that leads to the conclusion.

In the center of Biblioteca Vasconcelos, a gigantic dinosaur model is on display, symbolically representing the library itself.

The library hosts various programs on weekends, including not only reading but also performances and exhibitions. There is a separate space for children and a place where anyone can relax, making it a rest area for Mexicans.

It’s the most popular library among locals in Mexico. For tourists, the Biblioteca Vasconcelos captures attention with its outstanding architectural beauty.

③ Things to know before visiting

Biblioteca Vasconcelos operates from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The recommended stop for travelers using the subway is Buena Vista station on Line B. If traveling by bus; you should take the Metrobus line 3 and get off at Guerrero station.

While photography is permitted within the library premises, visitors must obtain permission before capturing images in designated areas. To do so, simply submit a consent form confirming that the photo will not be used commercially and provide an ID. Visitors can take pictures with a cell phone without a consent form. The library conducts visitor luggage inspections, so please keep that in mind. In the past, Wi-Fi was available, but currently, the library does not provide Wi-Fi service.

Travelers who have visited this place have left reviews such as “A great library worthy of national recognition,” “I felt like I was in a space movie,” “The atmosphere is still overwhelming,” “A very cool space where you can feel that it’s a country that values culture! Despite being a library, it has the aspect of a tourist spot”.

Biblioteca Vasconcelos stands as both a library and a landmark, making it worth visiting at least once.