6 Museums In Europe For The Offbeat Traveller
Europe’s cities count an incredibly high number of museums! Most visitors flock, predictably, to the Louvre in Paris or to the National Gallery in London – not without good reason, of course. But it would be a shame to overlook the hidden wealth of the lesser known museums.
Galileo’s Science Museum, Florence
Sitting on the banks of the Arno river is Palazzo Castellani, where the Galileo Museum is housed. Find preserved originals that once belonged to Galileo himself, including the two telescopes and their lenses used by the Pisan scientist to observe Jupiter’s moons – even his fingers and one of his teeth are up for display! With rooms dedicated to astronomy, the measurement of time, the science of warfare, and chemistry – this museum is a must-visit for any science lover!
Musical Instruments Museum – Brussels
With a wealth of around 9.000 instruments, the Musical Instruments Museum essentially takes you on a world tour of music! Discover the world’s largest playable sousaphone, Viola Da Gamba from the Court of Brussels, a seven-bell Trombone, the Serpent Chandelier, the African Kora and a host of Indian instruments like the Mridangam and Veena. They even have thematic tours specific to the tune of instruments from various regions across the globe!
Red Light Secrets (The Museum of Prostitution) – Amsterdam
Probably not on your regular list of must-visit museums, when in Amsterdam, the Red Light Secrets Prostitution Museum is worth a visit!Housed in a building that previously served as a brothel, visit secluded rooms, read personal accounts by prostitutes, listen to a former sex worker explain the complex implications of the nocturnal trade and watch a short documentary about the area’s past.
Ferrari Museum – Italy
The Ferrari Museum in Maranello not only collects the most famous Ferrari cars, but also exhibits photographs, trophies and other historical objects related to the history of the great Italian car. Check out a display of around 40 prestigious models on rotation, or an authentic reconstruction of the Ferrari Formula One Pit!
Museum Of The Living Room – London
Set in a beautiful 18th-century almshouse surrounded by gardens, the Geffrye museum explores the transformation of the “home” from 1600 to the present day. Rediscover 17th-century oak furniture and panelling, popular fabric designs of the 1950s and 60s, and the 20th-century modernity and contemporary living – a stunning walk through time!
Museum Of The History Of Medicine – Paris
Artifacts at the Museum of the History of Medicine, Paris, date back to the medieval period. Tracing developments in medicine and medical anthropology, this museum has it all! From old fashioned implements – probes, needles, forceps and scissors – to preserved body parts. You’ll need a stomach of steel for this one!
So if you’re a traveler like me, who enjoys treading the path less taken, take some time to explore some of these unique, wonderfully weird, and absorbing museums!
