Italian museums you can see without coming to Italy

We are living extraordinary times. With increasingly more countries and cities issuing lockdowns due to a situation that is becoming extremely serious, most of us find themselves confined at home, with limited possibilities to go out. Needless to say that non-essential travels are in most countries banned and punished.

In such conditions, it might be easy to get desperate, depressed or simply bored by the lack of activities. Nobody likes to be stuck at home, especially when the weather starts to get better and sunny.

That is why you should try to take your quarantine positively and use the enormous amount of time that is now at your disposal wisely. Indeed, it can get confusing and be slightly overwhelming at first to finally be able to administer our lives as we want and to have enough time to exercise, read or learn a new language. While these are some of the most classic activities to do during a quarantine, there are many other things made available to you due to this exceptional times.

For example, online tours and online classes have made available by many companies and museums. If you were planning a trip to Italy or you are simply curious to visit some of the best museums in the countries, you can now do so from the comfort of your home! Most Italian museums have adapted to the circumstances and are now offering virtual tours to anyone interested in visiting some of the most important museums in the world.

We put together a list of 5 museums you should pay a virtual visit to, hoping that you’ll soon be able to see the gorgeous collections with your own eyes.

Musei Vaticani

Musei Vaticani (or Vatican Museums) is one of the main attractions driving millions of tourists each year to Vatican city. The collection is vast and its beauty and cultural weight simply breathtaking. Here, you can find some of the most important masterpieces of Renaissance art and the most renowned Roman sculptures. One of the most famous section of this immense museum is the Sistine Chapel, decorated by Michelangelo.

But being the 4th most visited museum in the world and one of the largest ones makes Musei Vaticani particularly crowded and difficult to access.

Today, you have the opportunity to admire the beauty of the art pieces of this museums directly from your home. On the official website of Musei Vaticani, you’ll find 7 virtual tours through which you’ll be able to explore Sistine Chapel, Raffaello’s Rooms, the Room of Chiaroscuri and other beautiful collections. The virtual tour will allow you to move around and to focus on every detail that catches your attention, thanks to the high definition and quality of the images. Appreciate the art and the beauty of the Vatican Museum’s masterpieces from your sofa!

Check their website here Musei Vaticani.

Pinacoteca di Brera

Pinacoteca di Brera, in Milan, contains some of the most famous masterpieces of Raphael and Caravaggio, but it also contains numerous pieces by some of the most renowned Italian artists such as Piero Della Francesca and Andrea Mantegna, among others. Considered one of the best art galleries in Milano and Italy, you can now enjoy the collection online. Despite being mostly of a religious character, the paintings are historically and culturally extremely important for Italian history and being able to admire them from the comfort of your home can be a great way to learn more about Italian history and its years of grandeur during the Renaissance. On Pinacoteca di Brera’s official website, you’ll be able to filter collections based on the material, data or era and artists: enjoy your virtual tour!

Galleria Degli Uffizi

If you know something about art and history, then you might know that Gallerie Degli Uffizi is one of the most prominent art museums located in Florence and one of the most visited and best known in the world. The collections are immense and rich in priceless works, mainly from the Renaissance period. It is one of the most popular touristic attractions in Florence and for how good the experience in real life is, the good news is that you can now have access to the museum’s collections with the IperVision project, created in the current exceptional circumstances.

The museum put at the disposal of those interests a vast assortment of virtual tours made of high-definition pictures of some of the most famous and important masterpieces in the collection, accompanied by some descriptions and interpretations by art experts. It is your chance to take your time and discover the famous and stunning collection of Galleria Degli Uffizi.

For a virtual tour of the Uffizi check their website here.

Musei Civici Di Venezia

Joining other museums that are now closed due to the Coronavirus crisis, Musei Civici di Venezia is now collaborating with Google Art Project. Today, everyone in the world is allowed to access the images in high definition and resolution of all of the masterpieces of the vast collection of this Museum. You’ll be able to explore the rooms and focus on the details that catch your attention thanks to the Street View feature. Simply access the official website and start your online tour!

Scuderie del Quirinale

Part of Palazzo del Quirinale, one of the official residences of the President of Italy, this museum is known to be hosting some of the most important art exhibitions in various themes. The good news is that today, you have access to more than 80 exhibitions online. Simply access the official website and select the virtual tour that most attracts you. You’ll be able to enjoy the exhibition through informative and high-quality videos accompanied by explanations and descriptions by some of the most experienced professionals in the art world.

The Bottomline

It is true, the current situation might be hard to take in. The good news is that technology is enabling us to satisfy our cravings for traveling, enjoying art and learn new things. Join the virtual tours and use them as a preparation for your next trip to Italy, where you’ll be able to see the masterpieces in real life!