The world's 10 best museums

Erawan Museum, Thailand

The Erawan Museum was built under the feet of a three-headed elephant statue and stands out as one of the most interesting architectural structures in the world. Opening its doors in 2003 with three floors representing the underworld, the earth, and heaven, the museum boasts a rich collection, including a special room called "Cosmos" where rare Chinese porcelain, Vietnamese vases, tea sets belonging to the Chakri Dynasty, and Buddha statues are exhibited. The museum's interiors offer a visual feast; columns worked with fine details and ceilings decorated with colorful stained glass are among the remarkable elements.

Hermitage Museum, Russia

The world-renowned Hermitage Museum, which is also one of the oldest museums, is located in the Winter Palace, built in the Baroque style in Saint Petersburg for the then-Empress of Russia, Elizabeth, between 1754 and 1762. Home to more than 3 million works of art and objects, the museum is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, particularly for having the world's largest collection of paintings. The Hermitage Museum possesses a rich collection that includes famous painters such as Matisse, Rembrandt, Titian, Degas, and Pissarro.

Soumaya Museum, Mexico

Attracting the attention of both art lovers and architecture enthusiasts with its striking architecture, the Museo Soumaya was built in Mexico City in 1994 by the architect Fernando Romero, who is famous for his avant-garde style. Financed by Carlos Slim, this private museum has 6 floors and houses a vast art collection where European and Mexican art stand out. Its asymmetrical structure is covered with 16 thousand hexagonal aluminum panels and gains a dazzling brightness in the sunlight. Museum visitors can discover works by famous artists such as Rodin, Dali, Artemisia Gentileschi, and Diego Rivera.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain

Designed by the world-famous architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum was completed in 1997 and is also known as the "Miracle in Bilbao." It is among the most visited museums not only in Spain but in the world. Among the most remarkable works in the museum are Gerhard Richter’s "Seascape" and Mark Rothko’s "Untitled" paintings, as well as Louise Bourgeois’s massive "Maman" sculpture and Jeff Koons’s famous "Puppy" work.

Museum of Islamic Art - Qatar

One of the most famous museums in the world, The Museum of Islamic Art opened in Doha, Qatar, in 2008. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect I. M. Pei, who also designed the Louvre Pyramid, the museum houses collections consisting of metalwork, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, woodwork, and glass works collected from 1400 years of Indian, Iranian, Egyptian, Turkish, Syrian, and other Asian countries. These valuable works have been meticulously brought together by the Qatari Royal family.

British Museum, England

Founded in 1753, the museum possesses more than 8 million objects covering the history of world cultures and hosts nearly 6 million visitors each year. In the museum, where the building design was done by Sir Robert Smirke, you can find unique works from very different cultures, from Egypt to ancient Greece, and from Rome to Asia. The 760-kilogram Rosetta Stone made of granite, the 2500-year-old Parthenon Marbles, the Mummy of Katabet, the Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs, and a Samurai Armor are just a few of these.

Vatican Museums, Italy

The Vatican Museums, which have a unique history, welcome more than 6 million visitors each year due to being located both in the Vatican City State and in Rome, the city of civilization and art in Italy. It was first opened to the public and exhibited in 1506 with the discovery of the ancient marble statue known as Laocoön and His Sons from Greek mythology during the reign of Pope Julius II. The Vatican Museums consist of 54 galleries, including the Sistine Chapel, which attracts the most attention from visitors. While the ceiling of the chapel was painted by Michelangelo, the frescoes around it belong to famous Renaissance painters such as Botticelli and Domenico Ghirlandaio. Another interesting part of the museum is the spiral-style staircase designed by Bramante, and the construction of the last one was completed by architect Giuseppe Momo.

Louvre Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Opened in 2017 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the Louvre Abu Dhabi was designed by the famous Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel. Drawing attention with its metal dome featuring a complex geometric pattern consisting of 7,850 stars, the museum today houses works by many artists such as Paul Gauguin, Rene Magritte, Henri Matisse, and Claude Monet, including Leonardo da Vinci’s "Salvator Mundi," painted in 1500.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, USA

Located in New York and one of the most visited museums by art lovers, The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened its doors in 1870. Housing valuable works that shed light on 5,000 years of human history, the MET is today among the most respected museums in the world. Dazzling painting and sculpture collections by famous artists such as Raphael, Botticelli, Goya, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Modigliani, in particular, attract great interest.

Louvre Museum, France

Opened in 1793 in France, the Louvre Museum is today one of the most visited museums in the world and home to the most impressive art collections. In this museum, which hosts more than 10 million visitors, Antonio Canova’s "Psyche and Cupid" sculpture, the famous "Venus de Milo" statue by Alexandros of Antioch dating back to 101 B.C., and Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the "Mona Lisa" painting, are exhibited. Additionally, the 1814 oil painting "Grande Odalisque" by Auguste Dominique Ingres is also one of the museum's valuable pieces.