Let’s face it: museums can be boring. There are other times, however, when museums are truly fascinating and engross you for hours before you even notice the time. This list is about those kind of museums and takes you on a tour through seven of the best museums in the world.
1. State Hermitage Musuem, St. Petersburg, Russia
The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia is one that you don’t want to miss. In addition to being one of the biggest museums on the planet it has displays from all over the world numbering more than three million. It first opened as a gallery in 1764 and is made of five buildings on the Neva riverbank. If you are interested in art, sculpture, crafts, archaeology, shipwrecks and the history of Europe, Russia and the Middle East, then this museum will be a fascinating experience for you.¹
2. The Museum of Black Civilizations, Dakar, Senegal
The Museum of Black Civilizations in Dakar, Senegal was opened in 2018 and is a vividly interesting and important museum telling the story of cultures across the African continent and in the pan-African experience. The museum was set up by late Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor and is full of amazing artwork, relics, and archaeological artifacts that tell the stories of Africa.²
3. The Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt
Ancient Egypt has fascinated people from all over the world for hundreds of years, and if you are one of those who takes an interest you should definitely check out the Egyptian Museum in the Egyptian capital of Cairo. This hall of wonders has more than 120,000 relics and a number of mummies and archaeological relics from ancient times including the famous original golden death mask of Tutankhamen.³
4. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., United States
The Smithsonian Institution is a series of 17 museums and the National Zoo and is located in Washington, D.C. Best of all admission is free and you will be amazed by the panoply of incredible artefacts and historical exhibits telling the history of our natural world from the earliest humans to the present day. The Smithsonian will definitely capture your attention and is highly recommended.⁴
5. Vatican Museums, Vatican City
The Vatican Museums are a fascinating place to visit both for religious and non-religious people and are located in the Vatican City in Rome. These were first established in 1503 and have a collection of sculpture, religious artwork and stunning chapels and churches that are fascinating to walk through. There are also other parts of this museum including an historical museum and collections of objects and art from popes stretching back to the Catholic church’s early founding.⁵
6. Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France
The Musée d’Orsay (Orsay Museum) in Paris France is full of fine art and sculptures from the Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century and is located in the former railway station of Orsay on the banks of the River Seine in Paris. It’s full of interesting things to see and a must-visit if you’re in Paris.⁶
7. Bangkok National Museum, Bangkok, Thailand
The Bangkok National Museum in Thailand houses a rich tapestry of historical artefacts and Thai artwork. The earliest establishment of this museum was in 1782 and it’s a fascinating and calming place whose main areas are the Thai History Art Gallery, Thai History area and a Thai Ethnological Gallery. This museum is also notable because it is the home of one of the most sacred images of the Buddha which is located in a chapel in the museum.²
[1] https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-state-hermitage-museum
[2] https://www.veranda.com/travel/g1436/best-museums-in-the-world
[3] http://egypt.travel/attractions/the-egyptian-museum/
[4] https://naturalhistory.si.edu/
[5] https://www.rome-museum.com/vatican-museum.php
[6] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Musee-dOrsay