Must-see Museums: Europe

Academia Gallery – Florence 

Whilst the Uffizi in Florence is heralded as the major art collection in Florence it is the Academia Galleria that stands out most to me. The centre piece is, of course, Michelangelo’s David which stands in the centre of the entrance illuminated by great glass windows above. Often so called ‘classic’ art pieces can be underwhelming but the David is so perfect and proportioned it will amaze any viewer, the gallery contains a plethora of sculptures and many famous names such as Plato, Socrates and Julius Cesar can be seen in bust form.

Image: Flickr / Joe Hunt

Victoria and Albert Museum – London 

London has more museums than time to visit them and although many are incredibly fascinating there’s something unique about the V&A Museum in Kensington. It holds an eclectic mix of art, tapestries, clothing, jewellery, furniture and everyday items that come from every inch of the globe and every era in history. It brings history into the present and includes many items most museums would not accept.

The Louvre –Paris 

The Louvre is stunning architecturally with its great glass pyramid in the centre of the Louvre Palace courtyard. Not only does it house the famous Da Vinici painting ‘Mona Lisa’ but it is also the largest museum in the world with art work spanning from the Mesopotamian empire to modern day art. It’s an unmissable stopping point simply due to the vast quantity of art that it holds; however it makes it almost impossible to see every piece.

German History Museum – Berlin 

As this museum sits slightly away from Berlin’s Museum’s island it does not attract the same level of interest perhaps but inside visitors are guided from 1100AD Germany to present day with immense detail and clarity. The museum is perfectly laid out with clarity and ease of understanding as it primary focus and it intersects German history with British, French and Spanish to give you a broader perspective on Germany’s role in European history.

Image: Wikipedia / beek100

Peggy Guggenheim Collection – Venice 

Venice has some of the most famous renaissance art in the world but what many people fail to visit is the impressive collection of 20th century art that sits in the small but beautiful Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Piccasso, Pollock and Dali all have pieces here and the sculpture garden is a lovely place to sit in peace away from the bustling Venice.

Van Gogh Museum –Amsterdam 

One of the more striking museums in Amsterdam the Van Gogh Museum is architecturally brilliant and in summer it’s surrounded with sunflowers to add to the charm. It is a museum dedicated solely to the works of Van Gogh (obviously) and houses the largest collections of Van Gogh paintings in the world so if you have any interest in the Dutch impressionist it is well worth a visit.

Image: Wikimedia Commons / Minke Wagenaar

Topography of Terror – Berlin

This is not an “exciting” museum or one that is particularly inspiring. It is placed on the grounds where the former SAS headquarters belonged and showcases the rise, power and massacres of the Nazi’s on Jews. The exhibition is simple, elegant and respectfully done with focus being paid to other members persecuted by the Nazis such as homosexuals, gypsies and the disabled. It is not the cheeriest place in Berlin but an essential visit.