Throughout history, the desire to amass objects of beauty and importance has been ingrained in our very beings. Museums play an invaluable role in not only showcasing these treasures but also in preserving and protecting them for the benefit of generations to come.
In this article, we proudly present a selection of the most exceptional museums worldwide. These esteemed institutions house some of the most extensive and significant art and antiquities collections found anywhere on Earth.
14. Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum, which was founded in 1872, proudly holds the distinction of being Japan’s oldest and largest museum. Its extensive collections cherish the rich legacy of ancient Japanese art, as well as Asian art from the Silk Road.
Moreover, it hosts a remarkable assortment of Greco-Buddhist art, adding a unique dimension to its encompassing cultural offerings.
13. Egyptian Museum
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian antiquities, boasting an impressive collection of at least 120,000 items. It is considered one of the finest museums globally. The museum is divided into two main floors: the ground floor and the first floor.
The ground floor houses a vast array of papyrus and coins that were once used by the ancient Egyptians.
On the first floor, visitors can marvel at artifacts from the last two dynasties of Ancient Egypt, as well as numerous artifacts unearthed from the renowned Valley of the Kings.
Notable highlights include the extraordinary objects extracted from Tutankhamen’s tomb and the Royal Mummy Room, where 27 pharaonic royal mummies are on display.
12. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, is an awe-inspiring modern art museum that was created by the talented architect Frank Gehry. Designed with an elegant twist and adorned with a titanium exterior, this remarkable building became an icon of the 1990s.
Its graceful curves are reminiscent of the once abundant docked ships in Bilbao, while the shimmering titanium squares resemble the scales of a fish, glistening beautifully under the sun.
Inside, the museum proudly showcases both permanent and rotating exhibits, offering a diverse collection of artwork by both Spanish and international artists.
11. Louvre
The Louvre, situated in Paris, is a renowned art museum that attracts a large number of visitors from all over the world. Originating in 1793, the museum is located within the Louvre Palace, previously a royal residence.
In 1989, the iconic glass pyramid was added to the Louvre Palace’s main courtyard, functioning as the museum’s primary entrance.
The collections showcased in the museum originate from various sources including ancient Egypt, classical Greece and Rome, medieval Europe, and Napoleonic France.
Without a doubt, the most famous exhibit in the Louvre is Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, typically surrounded by swarms of tourists capturing the moment with their cameras.
10. Museo Nacional de Antropologia
The Museo Nacional de Antropología, also known as the National Museum of Anthropology, is located in Mexico City and houses a remarkable collection of archaeological artifacts that reflect Mexico’s pre-Columbian heritage.
It was established in 1964 and showcases numerous important exhibits, including the astonishing stone heads from the Olmec civilization and the Sacred Cenote from Chichen Itza.
One of its most renowned pieces is the Stone of the Sun, which, despite not being an actual calendar, features 20 day signs and represents the four previous eras of suns leading up to the present fifth sun.
9. Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery, located in Florence, Italy, holds a remarkable reputation as one of the world’s ancient and renowned art museums.
Originally built as the administrative hub for Florentine magistrates in the 16th century, the Palazzo degli Uffizi now gracefully possesses an extraordinary collection of Renaissance paintings and sculptures, alongside classical antiquity masterpieces.
Amongst these treasures lies the famous artwork “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli. Due to its immense popularity, visitors should be prepared to encounter lengthy queues, often forming well in advance of the gallery’s opening hours.
8. Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), located in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, is widely recognized as the most influential museum of modern art worldwide.
It boasts an exceptional collection of modern masterpieces that includes Monet’s captivating Water Lilies, Picasso’s groundbreaking Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, and van Gogh’s iconic Starry Night. Apart from the remarkable artwork, MoMA’s architecture itself is a major attraction.
Its glass walkways create a captivating maze that allows visitors to appreciate art from various perspectives. In 2004, Yoshio Taniguchi’s remarkable $425 million renovation project increased the museum’s exhibition space by nearly 50%, further enhancing the visitor experience.
7. Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums, located inside Vatican City in Rome, were established by Pope Julius II during the 6th century.
Renowned as some of the finest museums globally, they boast iconic attractions such as the mesmerizing spiral staircase, the breathtaking Raphael Rooms, and the meticulously adorned Sistine Chapel.
With Pope Julius II as their benefactor, the chapel saw Michelangelo’s remarkable brushstrokes on its ceiling during the years 1508 to 1512.
Today, this remarkable masterpiece, particularly The Last Judgment, is widely acknowledged as Michelangelo’s most remarkable triumph in the realm of painting.
6. Prado Museum
The Prado Museum in Madrid is renowned as one of the premier art institutions in Spain. It houses an exceptional collection of European art spanning from the 12th to the early 19th century.
Among its most famous pieces are Goya’s Majas (La Maja Vestida and La Maja Desnuda) as well as Velázquez’s masterpiece, Las Meninas.
Velázquez not only contributed his own remarkable works to the Prado, but also played a crucial role in bringing a splendid collection of Italian masters to Spain, showcasing his discerning eye and artistic sensibility.
5. Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam holds the esteemed position of being both the largest and most highly regarded museum for art and history in the Netherlands.
A treasure trove of artistic brilliance from the Dutch Golden Age, it boasts an extensive collection featuring masterpieces created by renowned artists such as Vermeer and Rembrandt.
While undergoing a complete renovation until 2013, the museum is still proudly displaying its most significant and breathtaking works of art.
4. Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia was established in 1764 by Catherine the Great. This remarkable museum showcases a vast collection of over 3 million art and cultural items from all around the world.
It captivates tourists as it stands among the finest museums worldwide, presenting awe-inspiring works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rubens, to name a few.
The museum itself is housed in an impressive complex of six historic buildings, including the Winter Palace, which was once home to Russian emperors.
3. British Museum
The British Museum in London has a rich history dating back to 1753. As a museum dedicated to human history and culture, it boasts an impressive collection of over seven million objects.
This collection is not only extensive but also diverse, originating from all corners of the world and spanning various time periods. Each item tells a unique story, shedding light on the evolution of human culture from its very origins up to the present day.
Among its prized possessions are the famous Rosetta Stone, instrumental in deciphering hieroglyphs, and the largest assemblage of mummies outside of Egypt.
With such fascinating treasures, it comes as no surprise that the British Museum is considered one of the top must-visit attractions in London.
2. Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly called The Met, is an awe-inspiring art museum situated on the eastern side of Central Park in New York City.
This grand gothic-style structure, first established in 1872 and constantly expanded over the years, houses an astonishing number of rooms across two floors.
Inside these rooms, you’ll find over two million works of art spanning the entirety of human history and representing diverse cultures from around the globe.
From paintings and sculptures to ancient artifacts and contemporary pieces, there is virtually no artistic field untouched within these museum walls. Besides its impressive permanent collection, the Met also arranges and hosts remarkable traveling exhibitions all-year-round.
1. National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum located in Taipei boasts the world’s largest assemblage of ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks.
Initially founded as the Palace Museum in Beijing’s Forbidden City back in 1925, its establishment followed shortly after the last emperor of China was removed from power.
During the concluding years of the Chinese Civil War, the museum’s most esteemed treasures were transported to Taiwan. However, by the time these items arrived, the communist army had already gained control over the Palace Museum.
