Europe is known for its grand architecture, rich history, thriving art scene and quaint cafés. It’s also famous for being home to expansive galleries and museums showcasing some of the most talented artists of our time. These exhibits can sometimes include cultural portrayals of the alternative kind, like collections of vampire paraphernalia, statues of cats and even proclamations of love lost. Quirky and peculiar, here are 5 off-tangent yet interesting museums you need to check out the next time you plan a European stop.
Need a break from the usual Louvre pitstop? Then prep yourself for some hauntingly good chills at Paris’ – and the world’s – only museum dedicated to the folklore that is Nosferatu. Set up by self-proclaimed ‘vampirologist’, Jacques Sirgent, you’ll find yourself in a gothic-styled garden filled with paraphernalia acquired from second-hand stores, flea markets and graveyards – all related to weapons and ways in which to deflect unwanted advances from Count Dracula. It’s good to take note that this is a private museum, so you’ll have to make a prior booking via this site.
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History London
By Jwslubbock (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia CommonsThe name itself is definitely a mouthful, but wait till you enter Mr Wynd’s mind-boggling collection of artefacts, memorabilia and paraphernalia from around the world. There is almost nothing you can’t imagine he couldn’t amass, in his years of travels. From celebrity faeces, animal bones, foetuses in bottles, shrunken heads and a hand book for bored farmers, this place is for the extremely curious! A special bonus is the cocktail bar, housed right within the museum, so you’ll get to enjoy a drink or two whilst being surrounded by amusing oddities. How’s that for a night out in London?
By Prosopee (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia CommonsWhat sets this museum apart isn’t just the physical tokens of affection and stories it shares with the world, but the fact that their collection is globally crowd-sourced from everyday people just like you. It has two permanent outposts in Los Angeles, California as well as Zagreb, Croatia. They even have ongoing travelling exhibitions that highlight some of the most heartfelt and heart-breaking relationship stories from contributors that are bound to strike a chord with visitors in some way. The best part? If you can’t make the trip, they also digitally post stories on their site that don’t make it to their physical museums, so indulge yourself in some bittersweet reading so you’ll never feel left out!
By PersianDutchNetwork (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia CommonsCurious about the ancient ways of serving a sentence for treason or theft? Possess an interest in medieval devices of pain and torture? This one’s for you! Founded in 1988 and housed in Amsterdam, visitors can get an up-close viewing of torment tools like the inquisition chair, thumb screws and something unfathomable like the skull-cracker. This is not for faint-hearted, as you can tell, but it’s definitely a worthy consideration for your European itinerary.
By H. Zell (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia CommonsBe ready to debunk your notion of sheltered museums with organised and labelled showcases of its exhibits with this outdoor Black Forest Village in Gutach im Schwarzwald, Germany. Also known as Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof, the village depicts life in the 16th century up till today where visitors can roam freely and explore the six fully-furnished homes on the land, farms (and farm animals) as well as live demonstrations of how the folks back in the day led their daily lives. If you’re travelling with kids, this will prove to be a delightful and enriching educational experience!
*The hotel prices (including taxes and fees) are per night per room for double occupancy for the above and were found on KAYAK.com.au on 1 August 2017 for travel in October 2017, for the respective hotels mentioned in the release. Prices are in AUD, may be subject to change and offers may no longer be available.
**The flight price (including taxes and fees, excluding baggage fees) for one return economy seat and was collated on 1 August 2017 for travel in October 2017 from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to the destination listed, unless specified otherwise. Prices are in AUD, may be subject to change and offers may no longer be available.
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