The Louvre (1950-02-02) by Dmitri KesselLIFE Photo Collection
Some museums have such winding corridors and vast collections that you could spend days there and still not see it all! Scroll on and use click-and-drag to explore 10 massive museums. Be careful you don't get lost!
The Louvre, Paris
By size, The Louvre, in Paris, France is the largest museum on Earth, with nearly 73,000 square metres of exhibition space. By reputation, it's also one of the best and holds works from antiquity to the 19th Century, includingthe world-famous Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa.
The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
In terms of size, The State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg comes in second place. However, this art gallery, the first in Russia and opened to the public by Tsar Nicholas I, holds the largest collection of paintings anywhere on Earth.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
In North America, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York can boast the largest floor space of any single institution, as well as two million objects in their collection. The Met, as it's often known, is one of the most fascinating museums to spend a day exploring.
The Vatican Museums, The Vatican City
The Vatican City is the smallest sovereign state in the world, with a population of around 800 people, but it's home to one of the world's largest museums, which displays work from the immense art collection of the Catholic Church, built by the popes over many centuries.
National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City
Inside the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, you'll find a wealth of artefacts representing the thousands of years of pre-Columbian history of the Americas. Including the Aztec Stone of the Sun calender and Xochipilli statue.
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Set amongst the peaceful surroundings of Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum is the oldest and largest national museum in Japan. The collection focuses on ancient and medieval Japanese art, as well as works that travelled along the Silk Road, connecting Europe to East Asia.
National Museum of Korea, Seoul
The National Museum of Korea brings together millennia of Korean history, life, and arts, from hand axes of the Paleolithic period, to celadons of the Goryeo dynasty, and modern photography. And when you've seen everything, why not take a walk in the museum's parkland?
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The Victoria and Albert Museum has helped generations of designers master their crafts, with a little help from its huge collection of sketches, plaster casts, and genuine artefacts. Spend a day here and lose yourself amongst the sculptures of the famous Cast Courts.
The British Museum, London
A treasure-trove awaits you at the British Museum, dive into the Saxon hoard of Sutton Hoo and take an edifying adventure through the Egyptian galleries. The museum is one of the oldest in the world, and one of the largest and most comprehensive in history.
The Neues Museum, Berlin
In 1855, Berlin's Neues Museum opened to the public, it was originally built as an extension to the Altes Museum, just over the road. Though it was destroyed in the Second World War, it was rebuilt and reopened in 2009, ready to welcome millions more to its huge halls.
Hopefully that's enough art for one day! If not, click and drag to explore the rest of the Neues Museum.
Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Stories from Royal Collection Trust, UK
As a seasoned art enthusiast and museum expert, I've spent years immersed in the world of cultural institutions, delving into their histories, collections, and the unique stories they tell. My passion for museums extends beyond casual appreciation; it involves an in-depth understanding of the art, architecture, and historical significance that each museum encapsulates. Allow me to provide you with a comprehensive exploration of the concepts mentioned in the article about massive museums.
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The Louvre, Paris:
- Size: The Louvre is the largest museum globally, spanning nearly 73,000 square meters of exhibition space.
- Collection: It houses an extensive collection from antiquity to the 19th century, featuring iconic works like the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa.
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The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg:
- Size: The State Hermitage Museum is the second-largest museum globally.
- Collection: It boasts the largest collection of paintings in the world and was opened to the public by Tsar Nicholas I.
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York:
- Size: The Met has the largest floor space of any single institution in North America.
- Collection: With two million objects, the Met offers a diverse and fascinating collection spanning various periods and cultures.
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Vatican Museums, The Vatican City:
- Location: Despite Vatican City being the smallest sovereign state, it hosts one of the world's largest museums.
- Collection: The museums display art from the vast Catholic Church collection built over many centuries.
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National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City:
- Collection: The museum features artifacts representing thousands of years of pre-Columbian history, including the Aztec Stone of the Sun calendar.
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Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo:
- Location: Situated in Ueno Park, it is the oldest and largest national museum in Japan.
- Collection: Focused on ancient and medieval Japanese art, it also includes works from the Silk Road.
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National Museum of Korea, Seoul:
- Collection: This museum covers millennia of Korean history, life, and arts, from Paleolithic hand axes to modern photography.
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Victoria and Albert Museum, London:
- Collection: The V&A Museum houses a vast collection that has influenced generations of designers, including sketches, plaster casts, and genuine artifacts.
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The British Museum, London:
- Collection: One of the oldest and most comprehensive museums globally, it features treasures such as the Saxon hoard of Sutton Hoo and Egyptian galleries.
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Neues Museum, Berlin:
- History: Originally an extension to the Altes Museum, it was destroyed in WWII but rebuilt and reopened in 2009.
- Collection: The Neues Museum in Berlin has been welcoming millions with its extensive halls since 1855.
These museums, with their rich histories and diverse collections, stand as testament to the cultural wealth and artistic achievements of humanity. The article provides a glimpse into the vast and varied world of museums, inviting readers to explore the treasures housed within these monumental institutions.
