1. Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York, NY
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the single largest museum in the world under one roof. While it can be overwhelming, it offers a broad understanding for each ancient civilization throughout history. The Metropolitan Museum has more than 2 million works of art representing 5,000 years of history. It’s a smart idea to plan ahead; looking at everything here could take a week!
2. Grand Egyptian Museum – Gaza, Egypt
Also known as the Giza, the museum is planned to open in 2015. Here you will have the opportunity to discover all of the ancient artifacts and treasures of Egypt. Described as the largest archaeological museum in the world, The gallery of King Tutankhmun collection will be the highlight of the visit for most visitors. Dramatic lighting will accent the golden treasures of the tomb, displaying about 4000 artifacts of the young king’s belongings.
3. The British Museum – London, England
The British Museum now comprises over 13 million objects spanning the history of the world’s cultures: from the stone tools of early man to twentieth century prints. Interestingly enough, the museum has the largest online database of objects in the collection of any museum in the world – with 2,000,000 individual object entries, 650,000 of them illustrated, online at the start of 2012.
4. State Hermitage – St. Petersburg, Russia
This museum of art and culture consists of five buildings located in the historical center of St. Petersburg on the Neva embankment. The Egyptian antiquity collection holds treasures from Mesepotamia, including a number of Assyrian reliefs from Babylon, Dur-Sharrukin and Nimrud. The collection of Classical Antiquities feature Greek artifacts, ancient Greek pottery, items from the Greek cities of the North Pontic Greek colonies, Hellenistic sculpture and jewelry and much more.
5. The Acropolis Museum – Athens, Greece
The museum focuses on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. As a whole, it narrates the story of life on the Rock from prehistoric times until the end of Antiquity. Not to mention, it is a tailor made museum building with extensive use of glass -providing breathtaking views of the Acropolis, the surrounding historic hills and the modern city of Athens.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest museum in the world under one roof, housing over 2 million works of art that represent 5,000 years of history. Its vast collection offers a comprehensive understanding of ancient civilizations, making it a must-visit for history and art enthusiasts. Due to its size, visitors are advised to plan their visit carefully as exploring everything could take up to a week.
The Grand Egyptian Museum, located in Giza, Egypt, was planned to open in 2015. It is described as the largest archaeological museum in the world and features an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. A major highlight is the gallery dedicated to King Tutankhamun, showcasing about 4,000 artifacts from his tomb, dramatically lit to emphasize the golden treasures.
The British Museum holds over 13 million objects that cover the history of world cultures, from early stone tools to 20th-century prints. It also boasts the largest online database of any museum, with 2 million individual object entries, including 650,000 illustrated items available online as of 2012, making it highly accessible to global audiences.
The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg houses Egyptian antiquities including treasures from Mesopotamia and Assyrian reliefs from Babylon, Dur-Sharrukin, and Nimrud. Its Classical Antiquities collection features Greek artifacts such as ancient pottery, items from North Pontic Greek colonies, Hellenistic sculptures, and jewelry, offering a rich insight into ancient cultures.
The Acropolis Museum focuses on archaeological findings from the Acropolis of Athens, narrating the story of life on the Rock from prehistoric times to the end of Antiquity. Architecturally, it is designed with extensive use of glass, providing visitors with breathtaking views of the Acropolis, surrounding historic hills, and the modern city of Athens, enhancing the museum experience.
Due to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's immense size and vast collection of over 2 million works spanning 5,000 years, exploring the entire museum can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Planning ahead helps visitors prioritize exhibits and manage their time effectively to make the most of their visit without feeling rushed.
The King Tutankhamun collection is a highlight because it displays about 4,000 artifacts from the young king's tomb, including many golden treasures. The museum uses dramatic lighting to accentuate these artifacts, providing a captivating and immersive experience that draws many visitors specifically to this gallery.