Virtual Tours of 10 of the World's Greatest Museums

The world’s largest and most significant museums of art and history are breathtaking. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the time or the money to visit any of them and experience the works they contain. The good news is that the internet giant, Google, has provided us with virtual tours of all of them. We invite you to go on a tour inside 10 of the world’s most significant museums and take in their beauty in 360 degrees: How to Use the Virtual Museum Tours To view the works of art in each museum, simply click on its name, or the picture underneath it. In the "Items" section, you may use the arrow on the right-hand-side of the screen to switch between the various works on display in that museum. Click on each work of art to view it in full size. Alternatively, you can also take a virtual 360-degree tour around the museum. You will see the below image with a yellow figure icon in it, in the "Museum View" section. Click on it to enter the respective tour.   During any such tour, you can click on the arrows that appear on the screen to virtually move in the direction they point in. You can also change your angle by clicking and dragging in any direction. If you’re on a computer, you’ll also be able to see a map on the left-hand-side of your screen, which will help you navigate your way around the museum.

10. Uffizi - Florence

This is one of the oldest and most well-known museums all over the world. The building itself, together with many of the works it houses, were commissioned by the Medici, an Italian banking dynasty. Many of the works are considered to be among the most important created during the Renaissance. The building is considered one of the world’s most impressive museums from an architectural perspective, and comprises two wings separated by Piazza Uffizi, which is located in the center of the museum.

9. The Israel Museum - Jerusalem

Housing more than 500,000 artifacts from around the world, including those that originated in the country itself, this is Israel’s most important museum. Many of the works that are found here have important connections to Jewish history and culture. The museum opened in May 1965, and one of its most famous works is a 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple Period.

8. Alte Nationalgalerie - Berlin

The gallery was originally opened in 1861 as the “National Gallery of Prussia”. There were only 262 works in the gallery initially, however, that number has risen significantly in time since its opening. The gallery’s structure is reminiscent of a Roman temple, and its collection mainly features classical-style romantic works, together with works by the French Impressionists. There’s also some modern art from the beginning of the 20th Century on display.

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7. National Gallery of Modern Art - New Delhi

The National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi was established by the Indian government in 1954. It displays works of modern art by Indian artists, however, there are also many works by foreign artists that were created in India on display. Today, the museum houses over 14,000 different pieces in total, making it India’s most important art institution.

6. Museum Kampa - Prague

This modern art museum is home to many works from Eastern and Central Europe, with particular emphasis on Czech art originating in Prague. Most of the works on display at the museum belonged to a wealthy widow named Meda Mládek. It opened in 2003, and gets its name from its location on Kampa Island, on the banks of the Vltava River.

5. Hermitage Museum - St. Petersburg

This museum is one of the largest and oldest in the world, and it’s arguably Russia’s most important. It was built in 1764 on the orders of imperial Russian empress, Catherine the Great. It only opened to the public almost 100 years later, in 1852. It houses over 3 million items, including the largest collection of paintings in the world, and spans no less than six historic buildings. One of these buildings is the Winter Palace, which housed various Russian czars over the centuries.

4. Van Gogh Museum - Amsterdam

The Van Gogh Museum is the most well-known museum in The Netherlands besides Anne Frank’s house. It is named after Vincent Van Gogh, one of the world’s most renowned artists, who hailed from the low-lying nation. It’s sad to think that he died without knowing just how significant his work would become on the world art stage. The museum also features works by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Paul Gauguin.

3. Smithsonian American Art Museum - Washington

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution, located in  Washington DC. It’s actually one of just 18 museums at the Institution, which collectively house over 137 million works of art. The American Art Museum features works from the likes of Georgia O’Keeffe, John Singer Sargent, Edward, Hopper, Wilson Homer and Albert Birstdt.

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2. National Gallery - London

The National Gallery in London, founded in 1824, houses one of the world's greatest collections of Western European works of art that were created between the 13th and 19th centuries. There are more than 2,300 paintings on display, all of which belong to the British public. The museum is free to enter.

1. Versailles - Paris

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most extravagant and magnificent palaces to be found anywhere in the world. It hosted numerous generations of the House of Bourbon, and was actually built during the 17th Century on the instruction of King Louis XIV. It was the seat of political power in the kingdom of France until the French Revolution took place in 1789. The palace gardens go on for what seems like forever, and the palace itself is laden with opulence that has rarely been seen since. It leaves all who visit it in utter astonishment. Πηγή