By Lexi Mitchell, to Museum Spotlight Europe (December 2023)
Cruising around Northern Europe offers incredible experiences through both nature and culture. If you manage to pry yourself away from the hikes and stores, museums are a sure way to to discover a rich history of each country. As you stop in some of the most sought after cruise ports, here are some recommendations for great museums to add to your checklist.
Iceland, Reykjavík
Perlan Museum
The Perlan is a Natural History museum unlike any before, combining immersive experiences of Iceland’s most fascinating natural phenomenon with well curated educational content. Perched on the hill above the city, it is a determined walk, or a short car ride away from the port, and is a great half-day adventure for this city.
Though you can enter any time after buying your admission, ticket sales are attached to a time slot to watch the Aurora Borealis show in the planetarium. Visually stunning, this show gives you the chance to see the auroras as if they were really there, regardless of whether it’s winter in Reykjavík or not. It also teaches the complex science of how the Aurora Borealis works, and the folklore surrounding it from many different cultures.
There are two other immersive experiences but first you will have the chance to learn about the incredibly unique geology, flora, and fauna of the country. Sit in front of a wall of puffins, smell the eruption of a volcano, search for tiny snails in an aquarium. The museum combines bits of the science of Iceland’s nature with live displays and interactive games.
Once your brain is full, it is time for the ice tunnel. A 100 meter long real ice tunnel will let you step into the snow (even during summer). Below freezing temperatures, it is a challenge to stay as long as possible just to enjoy the beautiful sparkle of the ice all around you. Of course, before you finish for the final show, the Perlan educates visitors on the science of icebergs, and the devastation of climate change on this important aspect of our world.
Finally it is time for the Lava Show. The drama and excitement of real volcanoes will seem to erupt almost in your face in the tiny theater. A sulphuric smell of real volcanoes is pumped into the room to increase the illusion that you are right there in the action. At 20 minutes long, the show captivates through every second.
After making your way through the museum, enjoy the view overlooking Reykjavík. All corners of the city can be seen from the viewing deck on the upper levels. Besides the perfect picture opportunity, the upper floors also have an ice cream parlor, a cafe and bar, a restaurant, and a gift shop. Stop and shop before running onto the next adventure.
Get your tickets online at perlan.is
Kjarvalsstadir Art Museum
If you are looking for a different type of museum, perhaps Kjarvalsstadir Art Museum is the way to go. This beautiful art museum has a great taste of modern, Icelandic art. The visions of the real world and of the fantastical are combined excellently in a simple and small space. It gives just enough to consume so that there is no way to be overwhelmed by floors upon floors of art. Just two wings is enough for every visitor to see something that excites their inner artist.
The curation is such that the art seems to graduate from representational pieces of local nature and community to a more dreamy array of abstract pieces. Only a few days in Iceland is all that is needed to really appreciate how Icelandic artists have been able to capture their beautiful nature and culture.
See what’s coming up at listasafnreykjavikur.is/en/kjarvalsstadir
When you finish at Kjarvalsstadir, head towards the water to enjoy a radical art selection at Miobaer.
Hafnarhús Art Museum
This contemporary art gallery and community center has so much to offer including many great selections of multimedia arts, a shop, and work areas. Like many galleries that showcase contemporary art, there is something for all types of art lovers. From detailed paintings of great interiors to sexually suggestive collages–get your brain running with this amazing three story locale. Hafnarhús has a great collection of art by Erró, known internationally for his pop art. For an adult audience, this museum is very thought-provoking.
Find more information here: listasafnreykjavikur.is/en/hafnarhus
Iceland, Akureyri
Akureyri Art Museum
Akureyri Art Museum is a surprising gem in this small town, known for its nature. With a combination of temporary and permanent exhibitions, there is an amazing array of arts to see. The museum has a lot of space, and updated technology to allow for contemporary exhibitions that you might not see anywhere else.
Though only a few early paintings are shown, they are excellent examples of Icelandic taste.
The rest of the museum is largely modern and contemporary, with a large selection of abstract pieces donated from universities. Bright, bold, and geometric focused, they evoke emotions in a way figurative art sometimes cannot.
Always rotating, the temporary exhibitions show amazing work from artists all over the world. Currently there are exhibitions by Icelandic artists Sigurður Guðjónsson and Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir, Brazilian artist Hilda de Paulo, and many more.
See What’s on at listak.is/en
Denmark, Copenhagen
SMK – National Art Gallery of Denmark
This stunningly large gallery has something for everyone, but will be most interesting to those who are looking for Danish Golden Age art.
In the modern art wing of the museum, visitors will recognize some big names like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. They are accompanied by contemporaries in modern art primarily from France like Raoul Dufy and Maurice de Vlaminck. Complex and forward thinking, the modern art might be a bit different for those who are used to classical styles.
If modern art flies over your head, much of the rest of the museum will be perfect. Dramatic chiaroscuro lighting is a common choice of the more dramatic scenes like those done by Nicolai Abildgaard. The dramatic chiaroscuro storytelling gives way to more softened ruins, local Danish architecture, and portraits. These detailed subjects come to life like a photograph. Some recognizable names to art nerds will pop up like Carl Bloch and Elisabeth Jerichau Baumann. An acute appreciation for nature is also a common subject of these artists.
Norwegian artists are highlighted alongside their Danish contemporaries as you walk through these main exhibits. There is a cut off, just as the influences of Modern art appear in the pieces. This new inspired use of colors and pre-Raphaelite art is the perfect end to a classic art exhibit.
If time allows, head to the contemporary art wing, in a new section of the museum connected by bridges. Just walking above a beautiful open plaza into the final wing will get you in the right zone to experience all of the emotions that come with contemporary art. As with any gallery of its type, much of the art will be off putting, weird, interesting, and thought-provoking. Nearly all mediums are represented. And while there are some international artists, a large majority are Danish.
See what’s coming here: smk.dk/en/
Glyptoteket
Stunning early 20th century architecture houses collections of art and historical artifacts. Green, decorated, and open, the central space is breathtaking, and can be viewed from many angles. The architecture is art itself–a perfect segue to the museum’s large collections. Glyptoteket blurs the line between the archeological and the artistic, by curating galleries of many visual styles right alongside ancient arts.
Choosing a path can be difficult, as there is so much to see in the museum. If you go up through the Danish wing you will be greeted by beautiful selections of early 20th century art. It features great portraits both in painting and sculpture. As you work around the building you will get glimpses below of the central atrium, the style of which is like a greenhouse mixed in with a continuation of the art. Dominated by paintings, the big names in Danish art like Elisabeth Jerichau Baumann and P.C. Skovgaard will pop up with many of contemporaries.
In between the rooms of paintings and drawings is an excellent curation of sculptures. A fascinating glimpse into the process of sculpture and model making, these bronze, marble, and plaster statues beckon back to ancient Rome and Greece, despite being created largely in the 19th century.
At the back of the museum, the archeological side of the arts is shown. The museum houses collections of African, Roman, and Greek statues. To know how Renaissance artists may have been so inspired by Roman and Greek art is easy as you walk between the statues, like a crowd of people. Even worn by time, they are so stunning it is hard to ignore the humanity of their creators.
There is always a rotation of temporary exhibitions at the museum, until February 18th you can see Behind the Façade – Discover the Architecture of the Glyptotek. Until March 3rd you can see Joaquín Sorolla – Light in Motion. Glyptoteket also has some temporary exhibitions centered around experts’ commentary on the art in the museum.
To see what’s coming, go to glyptoteket.com/
Natural History Museum
Dedicated mostly to temporary exhibitions, this museum is a nice little sneak peak into a few specific areas of nature.
Upon entry into the museum you will notice a colorful and almost childlike rotunda. Its rough texture and deep hues are inspired by the most beautiful geological formations. Art is obviously very important to the museum, as the other rotundas inside are also beautifully painted. By combining the old and the new, both in art and architecture, it sets the mood for the museum as a whole.
The temporary exhibit available until February 24th is all about primates. Monkeys – A Primate Story combines real taxidermy with educational displays about each of the animals. You can look at the real life animal and then read exactly where it has come from, what it eats, and its population status. Interactive components give you a chance to hold a monkey’s hand or see the evolution of primate skulls.
The other temporary exhibition is all about nature photography. Make your way upstairs to find several rooms full of dramatic and stunning pictures all displayed digitally. Separated into many categories, winners are highlighted in each group, though picking a favorite would be nearly impossible. The way that art can capture the beauty and science of nature is shown in this exhibition, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, until September of 2024.
Cases in the mineral hall show every crystal and mineral known to man. Unfortunately, this part of the museum is not accessible to English speakers because all of the information is only in Danish. Despite this limitation, seeing the beautiful rock formations is mesmerizing.
After you finish at the Museum of Natural History, make sure to head to the botanical gardens. A combined ticket to the Museum and Palm House is well worth the extra dollars. The Palm House is a combination of beautiful Victorian greenhouses separated by climate. Filled to the brim with greenery and foliage numbering in the thousands, it is truly a breath of fresh air to meander through. The butterfly house colors your world, so follow the butterflies enclosed around you, for an exciting and breathtaking departure.
For more, visit: snm.ku.dk/english/
Belfast Northern Ireland, UK
Ulster Museum
A true treat for those of any interest, the Ulster Museum is a free adventure that offers exhibits on history, natural history, and art.
As you enter the beautiful spacious building, you will see a cafe, a lobby, and many floors of the amazing museum. For a taste of what the museum has to offer, take a left towards the mid floor to see some highlights of the museums collection. This is a true testament to the ability of the museum to have something for every type of visitor. Displays of beautiful insects, model ships, silverware, and ancient skeletons could keep your interest for hours. Each floor of the museum is designated to one genre of the museum. The first floor is history, second floor is natural history, and the third floor is art.
From the preview of the museum’s collection, it is a quick turn around the corner into Irish history. From the “Troubles,” the history unfolds proceeding to the World Wars, European conquests, and all the way back to neolithic times. There is an absolutely breathtaking array of artifacts from the UK dating back thousands of years. It is also very noteworthy to pass by the Egyptian section. Something that is rare to see in any museum is such a concise and well supplied Egyptian history. Creepy but interesting is the preserved mummy of an ancient Egyptian woman and her sarcophagus.
On the second floor, find natural history exhibits. The lobby is filled with huge cases showcasing different aspects of science like marine life and a giant periodic table. From either side of this lobby extends more about natural history.
Visitors can see a beautiful array of rocks and gems. In one far away corner is a surprise; a mini show about radioactive rocks exploding with neon oranges and greens. The rest of the section of the museum contains a seemingly unending maze of biological specimens. Alien-like sea creatures and recognizable big cats, delicate butterflies and even real human skulls make it into the mix.
Finally, on the third floor is the art section. Just as in the beginning of the museum, the lobby of the third floor could capture your attention for hours on its own. Cases of intricate and skillfully made wares tower above each other. Particularly the Waterford crystal and Chinese pottery is not to be missed. Not a few steps away are some examples of stunning contemporary art. These contrasting displays really do a great job showing just how much the Ulster museum has to offer for its art.
This museum has multiple curated galleries to display art. Several galleries are dedicated to European Art, with a spotlight on Irish artists. Filled with art from before 1870, the walls of paintings have many styles of landscapes and portraits. Another gallery is dedicated to fashion, showing photographs typically meant for advertising and media. While the museum has space for paper arts and contemporary arts, these can be in rotation with temporary exhibitions visiting the museum.
For more information, visit ulstermuseum.org/
Isle of Portland, England
Nothe Fort
Truly a treat for those interested in war history, Nothe Fort offers visitors a chance to step back in time and learn about a pivotal part of the UK military.
The space has mostly been renovated to allow for modern use in events, and giving visitors a chance to understand the centuries of use associated with the little peninsula. On the outside, there are many routes to walk and learn about the architecture and artillery of the museum. The views of the city and the harbor are breathtaking from the upper walkway. Real artillery still exists on the top of the fort, adding to some of the more interesting relics that can be seen there.
Venturing down into the lower tunnels offers a whole different time machine. Individual rooms have been recreated to demonstrate the uses of the fort through its many decades of use. Models are interspersed with written explanations of the tunnels design as well as educational videos of the building and the general history of the UK military.
Special sections of the tunnels have been set aside to showcase specific topics of war history. Many visitors may find in-depth looks into military airplanes, the Cold War and D-Day exhibits to be worth the visit. If you dare, you can finish the stroll by passing through the “ghost tunnel” where supposedly the ghosts of those who died through the building of the fort continue to haunt it.
To learn more, go to owa.nothefort.org.uk/
Liverpool, England
Walker Art Gallery
This free gallery is truly a treat to see hundreds of years of art ranging from the middle ages to modern art. Sculptures and paintings fill room after room and they are roughly organized by period and style. Laying in between a wealth of other museums, I would not pass this up given the chance.
The first floor of the museum is mostly dedicated to cafe and store space, but make your way to the first floor exhibit and you will be welcomed into a sea of marble. Centuries of sculptural excellence are displayed in the small room showing an evolution from classical roman and greek sculpture to masters of the renaissance.
To continue this idea of artistic evolution, the next room brings a maze of objects organized by quality, theme, style, or material. Some cases organize objects based on the material or method of creation. Other cases explore how different cultures use decorative tableware or fashion. These displays ask you to examine how complex everyday objects can be.
The second floor exhibits are standouts–room after room displaying art from floor to ceiling. I highly recommend waiting around for a free tour if you have the time. There is so much art to process that getting this tour is like a highlight reel for the most significant pieces. Art tours are also an approachable way to understand art on a deeper, contextual level.
Beautifully restored and spacious, the lobby of the second level is grand, yet welcoming. Giant paintings and a few scattered sculptures around the lobby give a good taste of what is to come. Look for sculptures by Auguste Rodin, The Thinker or The Death of Athens. The Death of Athens is a beautifully delicate take on the death of classical art.
Once you finish in the lobby, you can enter into the first room of the gallery and be enveloped by the amazing wallpaper. Dramatic scenes unfold to reveal many stories of mythical or religious significance mostly painted in the late 19th and early 20th century. From there you can move forward by stepping back in time. 18th century portraits give way to drawings and sketches. They in turn reveal the last galleries which progress through Medieval and Renaissance art from artists like Titian and Patinir. Art lovers will certainly be interested in a very famous and recognizable portrait of Rembrandt van Rijn.
Progressively, the galleries move into modern and contemporary works. Beautiful Pre-Raphaelite paintings tell English tales while the Romanticism artists idolize Greek and Roman ruins.
Lastly, the museum brings together notable works of contemporary artists primarily from the UK via the John Moores Painting Prize. This exhibition showcases previous winners from this special event. They stand in stark contrast from the rest of the museum. Bright, detailed, and thought provoking, they largely focus on the concept rather than execution–something more important in art now than ever before. It might be off-putting to people who do prefer the excellence of the masters, but I believe it is a really important perspective to keep art moving forward. Artists of today are only able to do what they do because of centuries of artists building from the past. Until February 25th you can see the winners of the John Moores Painting Prize 2023.
To see what’s coming up, go to liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker-art-gallery
Cover photo by Perlan Museum
