Book TourThe Museum has over one hundred galleries open to the public occupying 2 miles of exhibition space and covering all areas of human culture. There are departments of Africa, Oceania and Americas, Asia, Britain, Europe and Prehistory and Coins and Medals. In addition to these and other departments the British Museum has some areas of specialism including the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities outside of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
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Located in London’s Bloomsbury, the British Museum is the UK’s most popular attraction with visitor numbers in excess of 6 million every year. It is also one of the top museums in the world. The museum contains over 8 million works, with the collection spanning human culture from prehistory to the present day. It was established in the 18th century from the private collection of Sir Hans Sloane. As a result of bequests, purchases and British colonisation the collection grew and in the 19th century it was rehoused.
Undoubtedly, the gallery’s piece de resistance is Vincent Van Gogh’s 'Sunflowers'. But the National Gallery isn’t just home to paintings. Several sculptures from King James II, to Greek heroes, and even George Washington can be viewed at the museum.
Admission to the National Gallery is free. If you love world-class art, the National Gallery is a must visit.
Architecture
The current building was designed and built by Sir Robert Smirke in the 1820s. Created in the popular Greek Revival style, the building resembles the Greek temple of Athena Polias at Priene in modern-day Turkey.
The facade is made up of 44 columns in the ionic order and the pediment above the main entrance is decorated with statutes depicting The Progress of Civilisation. The original central reading room courtyard was remodelled in 2005. The 2 acre Great Court area was enclosed by a magnificent tessellating glass roof designed by the British architectural firm Foster and Partners.
