Travel: 15 interesting and underrated European museums
Every world-famous European museum, such as the Louvre or the Prado, has a lesser-known counterpart. The following list includes both quirky and unusual museums as well as those that house world-class collections but aren’t as well known as they should be.
Bottle Peter’s Museum, Denmark
Aero Island in Denmark is best known for its windswept beaches and collection of colorful, cute-as-a-button cottages, but this quirky museum dedicated to one man’s obsession with ships in bottles also draws a crowd. Bottle Peter, as he became known, was an accomplished sailor who built over 1,700 bottle ships in his lifetime, which are now on display for all to enjoy.
Fondation Louis Vuitton, France
A beautiful space dedicated to contemporary art and culture designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry, Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris is a pure work of art itself. You’ll be amazed at the futuristic glass architecture outside, the wide range of events and exhibitions inside, and the fact that you’ll have much more elbow room here compared to the city’s other ever-popular A-list museums.
The Hearse Museum, Spain
Aero Island in Denmark is best known for its windswept beaches and colorful, adorable cottages, but this quirky museum dedicated to one man’s obsession with ships in bottles also draws a crowd. Bottle Peter, as he came to be known, was a skilled sailor who built over 1,700 bottle ships during his lifetime, which are now on display for all to see.
This collection of funeral vehicles, housed in a Barcelona museum dedicated to the art of sending someone off in style, includes over a dozen funeral carriages, six processional carriages, and three motor vehicles used in historical funerals. The museum’s mission is to shed light on the symbolism of funeral rites and how customs evolved throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. If that isn’t enough, the Hearse Museum is Europe’s only one of its kind.
Museum of Art Fakes, Austria
Take a look at that Rembrandt and that Matisse over there. And those diary pages from Adolf Hitler. No, they’re all forgeries, which is precisely the point of this museum in Vienna. Learn about the nuances of planting a forgery and the various types of forgery that exist. You will, without a doubt, have a fantastic time.
Borghese Gallery and Museum, Italy
The Borghese Gallery and Museum, housed in the former villa of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, a well-known patron of the arts in Rome, houses a treasure trove of works by Caravaggio and Bernini. The latter’s sculptures are on display in museums, many in the spaces they were originally intended to occupy.
Museum of the Thirties, France
The Roaring Twenties have a widespread reputation, whereas the 1930s are often overlooked. Not at this Parisian boutique museum, which honors the 1930s with exhibits and displays of the era’s art and popular culture. Expect to see everything from Art Deco to displays that detail the lifestyle and changing values of the era.
The Vasa Museum, Sweden
Vasa, a Swedish warship, sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and sat on the seafloor for centuries before being raised nearly intact in the 1960s. You can now see this magnificent time capsule in all its glory at the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, where visitors can delve headfirst into the fascinating history of the ship, its ill-fated crew, and those who raised her from the sea.
Museum of Miniatures, Czech Republic
Some of the works in this Prague museum of micro-miniatures require a magnifying glass to see, but that doesn’t make them any less powerful. A grasshopper playing a violin, a flea adorned with horseshoes, and a procession of camels sitting inside the eye of a needle are just a few of the tiny items on display.
Museum of Money, France
Have you ever given much thought to the history of the bills and coins in your pocket? If not, you’re in for a treat at this Parisian museum. The Museum of Money educates visitors on the history of currency and minting, as well as the incredible skill required to create coins. You’ll never look at money in the same way again.
Dutch Resistance Museum, The Netherlands
If you want to visit the Anne Frank House (which you should because it’s a moving and informative experience), you’ll need to plan ahead of time, but the Dutch Resistance Museum is still off the radar for most visitors to Amsterdam. It is located in the city’s Plantage neighborhood and tells the story of the Dutch during World War II.
The Museum of Broken Relationships, Croatia
This collection in Zagreb is a poster child for the quirky modern European museum, with rooms of artifacts left over from or that came to symbolize failed relationships. Visit to read the stories behind the objects and reflect on your own bittersweet relationships.
Brera Art Gallery, Italy
Explore the rich history of artistic expression at this sensational gallery in Milan, which houses a massive collection spanning pre-history to the twentieth century. Italian artists are well represented, with works by Bellini, Raphael, and Caravaggio among the gallery’s many highlights.
The Museum of Hunting and Nature, France
It’s all in the name sometimes, and this Paris museum does exactly what it says on the label. The Museum of Hunting and Nature explores the complicated relationship between man and the animal kingdom through the lens of hunting, providing visitors with a thought-provoking experience full of artwork, exhibits, and, yes, plenty of taxidermy.
Dalí Theatre-Museum, Spain
This museum, housed in a former theater in Salvador Dal’s hometown of Figueres, pays tribute to the surrealist artist and provides visitors with a mind-bending, interactive experience. The museum houses a large collection of Dal’s works, but the real draw is the opportunity to feel as if you’ve stepped into the artist’s mind, a sensation that grows from room to room. The remarkable atmosphere is undoubtedly the result of Dal’s involvement in the design of the space.
Gallerie dell’Accademia, Italy
This museum, which houses a vast collection of Venetian art (think Titian, Tintoretto Veronese, and Bellini), is frequently overlooked by visitors to Venice, but it may provide one of the best insights into the city’s history. Over 800 works are on display at the museum, and a visit will leave you with a newfound appreciation for Floating City art.
