Art lovers and history buffs will discover that a trip to Toronto, Canada can meet all their expectations. The capital of the Ontario province is the fifth largest city in North American and home to many important museums and art galleries. This article will briefly mention a few of the must-see sites for art and history enthusiasts in Toronto.
First and foremost is the Royal Ontario Museum. The ROM has more than 40 galleries. Visitors will find both works of art and object of natural history. The museum is well-known for its collection of bird and mammal skeletons. It is the largest in the world.
Another collection at the ROM that maintains the record as the world’s largest is the Far East collection with its abundance of Chinese artifacts. The highlight is the Ming Tomb. This 17th century warrior’s tomb is the only one of its kind in the West.
Another museum you will not want to miss is the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art. The Gardiner was, at one time, associated with the Royal Ontario Museum. The museum houses over 2,000 pieces of ceramic art. The collection includes pieces from the pre-Colombian period to European porcelain from the 18th and 19th centuries.
A significant collection of art from both Canada and Europe can be found at the Art Gallery of Toronto. One of the biggest attractions at this museum is the Henry Moore sculptures collection. The area that houses the collection was designed by Henry Moore himself.
A permanent collection of more than 12,000 textiles can be seen at the Textile Museum of Canada. Each textile is a work of art. Some of the items are as much as 2,000 years old. The collection also includes a lot of contemporary designs. The pieces come from as many as 200 different regions of the world.
Do you like shoes? You have probably never seen a collection like the one found at the Bata Shoe Museum. This unique museum was designed by architect Raymond Moriyama in the form of a shoebox. You can peruse the historical tour of footwear which will take you back to ancient Egypt with a pair of sandals to the late 20th century with some sleek stilettos.
There is much more to Toronto than art and history but, if enjoy these, you will find plenty of galleries and museums to visit during your vacation. The ones above are just the beginning. Plan your trip to this beautiful Canadian city. You are sure to return with beautiful memories.
Note, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative now requires all American citizens who travel to Canada to present a valid passport of other WHTI-approved document. There is an exception for minors traveling by land or sea. Both adults and children need passports when traveling by air.
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