By Cindy Brzostowski, to Museum Spotlight Europe (January 2023)
Perhaps it’s the passionate history of the building, the contents of its collection, or a particularly dreamy cafe inside the museum, for love is certainly in the air at these cultural institutions: Banka Lásky in Slovakia, Musée Jacquemart-André, Musée Rodin, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Victoria and Albert Museum, Duftmuseum im Farina Haus, La Collection Automobiles de S.A.S. le Prince de Monaco, The Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Kunsthistorischen Museum Wien and The Museum of Broken Relationships.
For some, a romantic gesture may look like treating your special someone to an evening out—maybe with a decadent, candlelit meal at a high-end restaurant or elaborate drinks at some cozy cocktail bar (picture red velvet booths). But if you find yourself gallivanting around Europe during Valentine’s Day, there’s another way for you and your paramour to celebrate all those warm, fuzzy feelings inside: a date at one of the most romantic museums in Europe.
Banka Lásky — Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia
In 1846, Andrej Sládkovič finished writing a poem to Marína Pischlová, his muse and lover who married another. With the poem being 2,900 verses long, the World Record Academy recognized it as “longest love poem” in 2017. Today, you can learn about Sládkovič and Pischlová’s story and see the only true facsimile of the manuscript at Banka Lásky (aka LOVE BANK), which is located in the house where Pischlová lived. Among the various experiences inside, a highlight is the Love Vault, where you can store a memento of your love in boxes with verses of the poem.
Photo by Banka Lásky
Musée Jacquemart-André — Paris, France
There’s certainly something romantic about the architecture and interior design of the Musée Jacquemart-André, but the real romance is the story of the Jacquemart-André marriage. In 1872, Edouard André commissioned Nélie Jacquemart, a young artist, to paint his portrait. Almost a decade later, the two would marry and spend the rest of their lives sharing their passion for art collection, including visiting auction houses and antique dealers in Italy. At the museum, you can peruse the couple’s legacy through their former mansion and collections.
Musée Rodin — Paris, France
Romance isn’t hard to find in Paris—it is called the City of Love after all. But to appreciate a particularly famous symbol of love, head to Musée Rodin. Here, you can view the marble sculpture The Kiss, by Auguste Rodin that depicts Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, lovers from The Divine Comedy, in the midst of a passionate kiss. While you can see replicas of this iconic artwork at other institutions like London’s Tate Gallery, the one on display at Musée Rodin is the original. Perhaps after seeing the real thing you and your beau will recreate the pose.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection — Venice, Italy
Some say Venice rivals Paris as the most romantic city in the world. As you criss-cross the picturesque canals with your sweetheart and mull it over, swing by the Peggy Guggenheim Collection to appreciate the works of some other notable lovers. The museum displays items from Peggy Guggenheim’s personal collection, including art by Max Ernst—her husband from 1942 to 1946. Really, the place is a testament to Guggenheim’s love of Venice itself. The American art collector settled there in 1949, and she’s quoted as saying, “To live in Venice or even to visit it means that you fall in love with the city itself. There is nothing left over in your heart for anyone else.”
Photo by Rogi André, ca. 1940
Victoria and Albert Museum — London, England
From Victoria & Albert (2001) to The Young Victoria (2009), multiple movies have touched on the royal romance between Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert. Their relationship transformed their nation’s culture, and the two were famous for their patronage and collection of art. Credited to Prince Albert’s efforts and named after the couple (though the queen wanted it named solely after her spouse), the Victoria and Albert Museum always hosts exciting, world-class exhibits in its permanent collection of over 2.8 million objects.
Duftmuseum im Farina Haus — Cologne, Germany
How many of us make sure to spritz on some cologne or perfume before we go on a date with our dearest? One of the most famous scents in the world is Eau de Cologne, a perfume created by Giovanni Maria Farina in 1708 in Cologne, Germany. It’s the reason we use the term “cologne” as we do, and you can visit its birthplace at the Farina Duftmuseum, or Farina Fragrance Museum. Note that visits are only possible as part of a guided tour, with the option of several different languages.
Photo by Ottobre via Wikimedia
La Collection Automobiles de S.A.S. le Prince de Stephen Abragan Monaco — Monaco
Many have compared actress Grace Kelly’s life to a real-life fairy tale with her leaving Hollywood behind to marry Rainier III, the Prince of Monaco. At La Collection Automobiles de S.A.S. le Prince de Stephen Abragan Monaco, the prince’s personal car collection is on display, one that was accumulated over decades and includes around 100 cars. As you peruse the beautiful, vintage vehicles, you can easily imagine the two riding off into the sunset, full of the love that lasted them through 26 years of marriage until her untimely death.
The Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum — Bratislava-Čunovo, Slovakia
Much of the romance of the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum comes from its unique location. Situated in the middle of the Danube River close to the intersection of Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria, the art museum juts into the water, providing a beautiful, 360-degree vista. Enjoy exhibits inside as well as a sculpture park outside. If you time your visit right, you and your date will be able to watch the sunset over the river from the roof. It doesn’t get much more romantic than that!
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía — Madrid, Spain
You’re bound to find something that sets your heart aflutter at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía given its extensive collection of 20th-century art. Once you’re done checking out Pablo Picasso’s Guernica and perusing works by Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró, consider dining at Arzábal—a restaurant within the museum that serves seasonal cuisine. The green-house like atmosphere, complete with plenty of lush plants, makes for quite the romantic spot to take your date.
Photo by Arzábal
Kunsthistorischen Museum Wien — Vienna, Austria
Another museum with a particularly romantic restaurant is the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Its cafe has the high-coffee house vibes that Vienna is famous for, and the ornate, marble surroundings make whatever treat you order taste that much sweeter. To make your visit even more memorable, you can book an exclusive private tour of the museum for you and your loved one that’s specifically tailored to your interests. Private tour or not, you’ll definitely want to see the Cellini Salt Cellar, a stunning gold table sculpture completed in 1543 by Benvenuto Cellini.
Photo by Steven Zucker
Bonus: The Museum of Broken Relationships — Zagreb, Croatia
Everyone wants love stories to end happily ever after, but unfortunately, for many people, romance leads to heartbreak. At the Museum of Broken Relationships, you can look through a collection of mementos from past relationships, each paired with an intimate story from its contributor. By the end of your visit, you may find yourself with a new perspective on your own former flames, or love and loss in general.
Cover photo by Musée Rodin
