Galleries and museums are the most visited places in Europe among tourists with millions of people visiting every year. Some are friendlier to the limited traveller’s wallet, some must not be missed but every museum will teach you something new and make you culturally richer.
Vatican Museums
Museums in Vatican are one of the most famous and most visited museums in the world. The collection was through centuries built by roman-catholic church, the most important collection is the collection of renaissance art. Museum was established by Pope Julius II. in 16th century. Part of the museums is the Sistine chapel and it’s ceiling painting that was painted by Michelangelo which took him 4 years. Vatican museums have 54 galleries, also named salas. Each last Sunday in month the Vatican Museums are free.
Museuminsel and Neue Nationalgalerie
Museuminsel in Berlin is a unique group of 5 museums that is also listed in UNESCO. The first exhibition was opened in 1797, the building itself represents the development of modern art through 20th century as they joined five museums into one. A special feature is Islamic art that is very rare in Europe. Museum will be completely renewed by year 2015.
Neue Nationalgalerie is a museum of modern art in Berlin that focuses on the art of 20th century and represents cubism, expressionism, Bauhaus and surrealism. Playing with materials, dimensions and media can be seen. The gallery also offers installations that are especially interesting for young travellers.
Acropolis Museum
Museum Acropolis in Athens is an archaeological museum that is focused on archaeological findings from Acropolis of Athens. The building is made of stone from Greek bronze to byzantine Greece. It lies on foot of the Acropolis. The museum was established in 2003, it was opened for public in 2009. EU students have free entrance, the entrance is also free for residents of EU, younger than 18 years.
Natural History Museum Dublin and National Gallery
Natural History Museum in Dublin is a museum with the biggest collection of Irish historical objects and Irish art. It has a rich collection of objects from time of Vikings and Celts. It is often described as a museum in a museum as its 10000 historical objects show history and also tells a story. Irish national gallery is also a home to a big part of Irish history, where we can find works from Yeats but also from Picasso, Velazquez and Raeburn. Art is divided into time and place. Entrance is free.
State Hermitage Museum
Russia is maybe more isolated than European art centres like Paris, Rome and London but the
Hermitage museum can easily be compared to those three capitals with a spectacular collection of art. We can see an Egyptian collection, art from classical antiquity, Palaeolithic and Iron Age. Museum takes place in six buildings in St. Petersburg, the main building is the Winter Palace that is something special even from the outside.
Europe offers a rich selection of galleries and museums that are visited by millions of people every year. Every city offers different art – we can see the Da Vinci’s Last Supper in Milano, Mona Lisa is hiding in Paris. Museums and galleries don’t offer only art but also some interesting facts – Picasso’s first word was pencil, the artist could draw before he could walk. In every Dali’s painting we can find a self-portrait or at least his silhouette. The choice is yours, every museum has its own treasure. Do not forget to check out
HI hostels where you will be able to sleep for cheaper prices if you have a
HI card. That way you will save money to see other sights and sleep in a beautiful room. You can read more about it here:
www.hihostels.com.
