Italy is inundated with endless incredible art collections, an infinite amount of amazing tourist attractions and, particularly, lots of excellent museums. With so many wonderful museums to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to go so we've compiled a list of some of the best museums around Italy to help narrow it down for you. Pencil these in for your next trip to Italy and you won't be disappointed.
8. Brera Picture Gallery
The Brera Picture Gallery, or Pinacoteca di Brera, is Milan’s main public art gallery. Consisting of a rich collection of artworks that represents over six centuries of European art, the museum is home to works by famous artists such as Rubens, Titian, Correggio and Anthony Van Dyck. The building was originally a 14th century monastery that was later redesigned by the renowned architect Giuseppe Piermarini and is also surrounded by a picturesque botanic garden. So, therefore, in addition to being one of Italy’s most important art institutions, there is also much to see and do on the grounds of the building itself.
8. Brera Picture Gallery
The Brera Picture Gallery, or Pinacoteca di Brera, is Milan’s main public art gallery. Consisting of a rich collection of artworks that represents over six centuries of European art, the museum is home to works by famous artists such as Rubens, Titian, Correggio and Anthony Van Dyck. The building was originally a 14th century monastery that was later redesigned by the renowned architect Giuseppe Piermarini and is also surrounded by a picturesque botanic garden. So, therefore, in addition to being one of Italy’s most important art institutions, there is also much to see and do on the grounds of the building itself.
A stunning museum in a beautiful setting, it is a must-see for those who have found a vacation rental in Milan.
9. Museo Egizio
The Museo Egizio in Turin is the only museum in the world, other than the Cairo Museum, that is dedicated solely to Egyptian art and culture. The first Egyptian object to come to Turin was purchased by the Savoy King Carlo Emanuele I in 1630 and was the Mensa Isiaca, a Roman production of an altar table in the Egyptianising style for an Isis temple cult outside of Egypt. In 1724, King Vittorio Amedeo II founded the Museo della Regia Università di Torino in a palace of the University for an antiquities collection and King Carlo Emanuele III later commissioned the acquisition of objects from Egypt. The Regio Museo delle Antichità Egizie was formally founded in 1824 with the acquisition by King Carlo Felice of a large collection. This collection was added to and moved to different buildings over the years and eventually became the Museo Egizio.
9. Museo Egizio
The Museo Egizio in Turin is the only museum in the world, other than the Cairo Museum, that is dedicated solely to Egyptian art and culture. The first Egyptian object to come to Turin was purchased by the Savoy King Carlo Emanuele I in 1630 and was the Mensa Isiaca, a Roman production of an altar table in the Egyptianising style for an Isis temple cult outside of Egypt. In 1724, King Vittorio Amedeo II founded the Museo della Regia Università di Torino in a palace of the University for an antiquities collection and King Carlo Emanuele III later commissioned the acquisition of objects from Egypt. The Regio Museo delle Antichità Egizie was formally founded in 1824 with the acquisition by King Carlo Felice of a large collection. This collection was added to and moved to different buildings over the years and eventually became the Museo Egizio.
Today, the museum is a public space that displays six and a half thousand objects, with a further 26,000 objects are in storage. If you want to see Egyptian sarcophagi, mummies and ancient works of art, there is no better place in the world outside of Egypt itself.
10. Galleria dell'Accademia
The incredible Galleria dell’Accademia, in Florence, is home to Michelangelo's iconic 'David’ as well as many other beautiful works of art by the likes of Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Paolo Uccello and many other famous artists and Renaissance Masters, in particular. Adjoined to the academy of Fine Arts of Florence, the museum was founded in 1784 by the Grand Duke of Tuscany at the time, Pietro Leopoldo. Another gem of a museum in that great Renaissance city that we owe to the Medici! Just find a luxury villa in Florence and discover the masterpieces within for yourself!
These are, of course, but then of the museums in Italy. There are many more you might want to see but these are some of the best and most popular and a good place to start!
10. Galleria dell'Accademia
The incredible Galleria dell’Accademia, in Florence, is home to Michelangelo's iconic 'David’ as well as many other beautiful works of art by the likes of Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Paolo Uccello and many other famous artists and Renaissance Masters, in particular. Adjoined to the academy of Fine Arts of Florence, the museum was founded in 1784 by the Grand Duke of Tuscany at the time, Pietro Leopoldo. Another gem of a museum in that great Renaissance city that we owe to the Medici! Just find a luxury villa in Florence and discover the masterpieces within for yourself!
These are, of course, but then of the museums in Italy. There are many more you might want to see but these are some of the best and most popular and a good place to start!
