For most of us, the word’museum’ brings to mind images of well-maintained properties filled with prestigious cultural and historical relics. Museums around the world tell rich and varied stories that are both awe inspiring and poignant and the world’s best museums showcase some of the most spectacular art and antiquities on offer.
From prehistoric tools to modern day art masterpieces, there are so many incredible treasures to see. Some museums focus on specific artworks or locations (hello Louvre, Uffizi and MOMA) whilst others bring together a vast collection of art from across the globe. But one thing these dazzling institutions all have in common is the ability to make your jaw drop the second you walk through the door.
A visit to a museum can be a truly eye-opening experience, but it’s not for everyone. If you don’t really have a strong interest in history or culture then it can be boring to shuffle from room to room, often without any real understanding of why something is there and what significance it has. For instance, a vase might be stunning to look at but it’s not very exciting if you don’t know why it’s there in the first place.
Museums are not only a great way to learn about different cultures and histories but they can also act as an escape from the current political climate that’s gripping so many parts of the world. They can remind us of what we once stood for as a united human race, and what we could be once again.
While we all love the renowned museums of the world, it’s just as fun to head to some of the lesser known ones and discover the hidden gems that are hiding within them. Some have been created around a very specific subject like the Dali Museum which is home to an extensive collection of jewelry designed by Salvador Dali himself and some interesting optical illusions. Then you have the National Museum of Modern Art in New York, better known as the Met which is home to famous works of art such as Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans and Dali’s Persistence of Memory.
Other museums have been created as memorials to the terrible events that have taken place in the past. A visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Museum for example, is an incredibly moving experience where you can find all sorts of memorabilia from the camp including a mound of shoes that belonged to those who lost their lives there.
Museums are an important part of our global heritage, protecting a rich artistic and cultural history that we can all draw inspiration from. They are a window into the past, present and even potentially the future of humanity. And they can give you a unique insight into the world of humans and their endless fascination with beauty, power and wonder.
