Italy is well known for its rich culture, art, and cuisine. Here are some of the top 10 museums you should visit in Italy.
1. The Vatican Museums (Rome)
The Vatican Museum (Musei Vaticani) was founded in the early 16th century by Pope Julius II, these are the public museums of the Vatican City. They display a variety of treasures accumulated over the centuries, most well known must be the Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) decorated by Michelangelo and Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello) by Raphael.
2. Galleria degli Uffizi (Florence)
One of the most famous and oldest museums in Italy, the Galleria Degli Uffizi hosts many centuries-old paintings and sculptures from the 13th century to the 18th century. The gallery had been open to visitors by request since the sixteenth century, and in 1765 it was officially opened to the public, formally becoming a museum in 1865. The most notable Renaissance painting in their possession can include Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo works, always remember to visit Galleria degli Uffizi when you’re in Italy!
3. Gallerie Dell’accademia (Florence)
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While in Florence, remember to visit the Gallerie Dell’accademia, home to Michelangelo’s David.
The original statue is on display at the Gallery of the Academy of Florence. The Gallerie Dell’accademia is also showcasing many Florentine paintings from the 13th to 16th centuries. Remember to get your ticket beforehand as the art museum itself can be quite crowded due to its popularity
4. Museo Egizio (Turin)
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The Museo Egizio is an archeological museum in Turin, Piedmont, Italy with a specialty in Egyptian archaeology and anthropology. Discover the most ancient museum dedicated to Egyptian culture in the world, after a 2015 layout, the museum has doubled in size with more space to display artifacts outside of Cairo to accomondate tourists from all over the world.
5. Museo Ferrari (Maranello)
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A dream destination for car enthusiasts, the Museo Ferrari is a Ferrari company that focuses on Ferrari’s sports car marque. The museum isn’t limited to Ferrari displays but there are also several road cars on display, trophies, photographs, and other memorabilia relating to the Italian motor racing industry, as well.
6. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (Naples)
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The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is an important Italian archaeological museum, particularly for ancient Roman remains. It is divided into various sections by classes of materials (marble, mosaics, and various types of stone). Really impressive museum and a place to visit if you are planning to visit Pompei & Herculaneum sites as it has so much on display to satisfy every art lover.
7. Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbira
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The Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria (English: National Gallery of Umbria) is one of Italy’s leading art collections, with 40 rooms on a total surface of 4,000 square meters. The museum house one of the most complete collections of artwork in Italy, ranging from the 13th to the 19th century, but mainly from the 14th to 16th century.
8. Galleria Borghese
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The Galleria Borghese (Italian for ‘Borghese Gallery’) is an art gallery in Rome, Italy, housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana, it holds a large part of the Borghese collection of paintings, sculptures, and antiquities. The museum is also known for its spectacular garden that surrounds the property.
9. Cappella Sansevero
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The Cappella Sansevero (also known as the Cappella Sansevero de’ Sangri or Pietatella), is smaller in comparison to the other museums on this list but it’s an amazing destination for you to check out. The highlight of the Cappella Sansevero is the “Veiled Christ” a statue created by the Neapolitan artist Giuseppe Sanmartino in 1753, is definitely worth the long queue for.
10. Castel Sant’Angelo
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The Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as Castel Sant’Angelo, it was originally built as of Roman Emperor Hadrian in 135 AD. Today, it serves as a museum for visitors all around the world to explore. Other than serving as a repository of historical information, it is a site of immense cultural value that houses many sculptures, architecture, frescoes, and more.