Culture- 5 Unusual Museums Worth Visiting
We scoured the globe - with Prof. Google as our guide - and came up with the following collection of truly odd museums, that relate to each of us in their own small way. From the Museum of Broken Relationships, to the microminiatures within the eye of a needle, you’re sure to discover at least one that’s eyebrow raising amongst this global handful of oddities.
1. Museum of Broken Relationships
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
The Museum of Broken Relationships isn't your typical museum; it's a place where personal stories meet art. Here, you'll find a collection of items and memories left behind from past relationships, each with an anonymous story that gives a glimpse into the emotional journeys of people from all over the world. It's not about the usual "how-to" guides for moving on; instead, the museum offers a creative space to process heartbreak by contributing to a shared experience.
This unique concept began in 2006, brought to life by Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić, and has since traveled the globe, challenging what we consider to be heritage. Its permanent home is in Zagreb, and in 2010, the museum won the Kenneth Hudson Award for Europe’s most daring museum project. If you find yourself in Croatia, this one-of-a-kind museum is worth a visit.
2. The Icelandic Phallological Museum
Location: Reykjavík, Iceland
You won’t find anything else quite like the Icelandic Phallological Museum, which showcases the world's largest collection of biological phalluses. With over 215 specimens ranging from tiny hamsters to majestic Canadian walruses, the museum’s collection is not for the faint-hearted. If that’s not odd enough, you’ll also find lampshades made from bull testicles and even a few human specimens on display.
The museum's story began in 1974, when Sigurður Hjartarson, a headmaster in Akranes, received a bull penis as a joke gift. The joke grew into a passion, with Sigurður collecting phallic specimens from across the animal kingdom, including humans (finally achieved in 2011). Now located in Reykjavík, the museum even features a bistro with a phallic theme, making for an experience that’s seriously weird.
3. Museum of Perfume
Location: Paris, France
Often overlooked, our sense of smell has a powerful influence on memory and emotion. The Museum of Perfume in Paris dives deep into the history and art of fragrance, taking visitors on a sensory journey that spans continents. From everyday scents to rare ingredients like civet musk, the museum explores perfume’s enchanting role throughout history—especially in times when bathing was a luxury.
To complete your experience, the museum invites visitors into a perfumer’s workshop, where you can craft your own signature scent using the same techniques as the professionals. It’s an opportunity to blend a bit of magic and mystery into your very own fragrance.
4. Lipstick Museum
Location: Berlin, Germany
For makeup lovers, the Lipstick Museum in Berlin is a must-see. Opened in 2009, this private collection of over 250 exhibits traces the evolution of lipstick and how it shaped the way women present themselves. You'll find everything from Baroque-era lip colors to rare shades from Japan and Africa, plus luxurious makeup cases and even dresses worn by iconic actress Marlene Dietrich.
The walls are adorned with portraits of classic film divas, and there’s a collection of over 150 kiss prints from famous personalities. You can even marvel at lipstick collections owned by figures like Evita Perón and Paloma Picasso. It’s not just a museum about makeup; it’s a celebration of beauty, history, and style.
5. The Mykola Syadristy Museum of Microminiatures
Location: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine
If you thought seeing is believing, the Mykola Syadristy Museum of Microminiatures will change your mind. This extraordinary collection features intricate artworks so tiny they can only be viewed through a microscope. Ukrainian artist Mykola Syadristy, recognized as the world’s best miniaturist, creates these jaw-dropping pieces with amazing detail.
Among his creations are words engraved on a strand of human hair, a chess set on a pinhead, and a rose in a human hair—literally. There’s even the world’s smallest book, measuring just 0.6 mm and made up of 12 tiny pages sewn together with cobweb. The exhibition may be small in size, but it’s absolutely huge on wonder. Don’t forget to bring your glasses!
