Top 10 Facts About The British Museum

The British Museum in London is one of the most popular artistic institutions in the world, attracting masses of visitors every year. While many people know it for its vast collection of objects/artefacts, there are some lesser known facts that make this museum even more interesting. Here are 10 exciting facts about the British Museum that might surprise you

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It is the world’s first National Public Museum.

The British Museum, founded in 1753, was the first national public museum in the world. It opened its doors to the public in 1759, offering free entry to “all learned and interested persons”. This innovative idea of accessibility has shaped museums around the world

The grand neoclassical facade of the British Museum in London on a cloudy day — The British Museum – a treasure trove of history and culture in the heart of London

Museum began with just a single collection

The origins of the British Museum date back to the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, a physician and naturalist. He gave the museum a vast collection of over 70,000+ objects, including books, manuscripts and natural specimens, which formed the foundation of the museum

Museum has more than 8 million+ items.

Museum’s collection is stunning, with over 8 million objects spanning human history, art and culture. However, due to lack of space, only 1% of these are on display at any one time.

Parthenon Marbles statues displayed at the British Museum in London — Parthenon Marbles at the British Museum – a glimpse into ancient Greek artistry

Place where rosetta stone is kept

One of the museum’s most famous artifacts is the Rosetta Stone, which holds the key to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphs. Discovered in 1799, it has been housed in the British Museum since 1802 and is a must-see for visitors.

Building itself was a tourist attraction before the artefacts came there.

When the museum first opened, its architecture and design were so spectacular that people would come to see the building before the collections were fully displayed.

Ancient Greek statue of a reclining male figure with missing head and arms — Ancient Greek reclining statue – a masterpiece of classical art preserved in a museum.

Museum has a controversial history of acquisitions of artifacts.

Many of the museum’s artefacts, such as the Parthenon sculptures and the Benin bronzes, were purchased during the colonial period of the British Empire. These items are the subject of ongoing debates about cultural restoration and return.

The Great Court of Museum is a modern marvel

The Great Court, designed by architect Norman Foster, is the largest enclosed public square in Europe. Opened in 2000, it has a stunning glass and steel roof, enclosing a traditional reading room.

A visitor admiring the Parthenon Marbles, an ancient Greek sculpture collection, at the British Museum. — The Parthenon Marbles at the British Museum, showcasing the beauty of ancient Greek sculpture.

It was once a Center for Enlightenment thinkers

The museum’s reading room was a meeting place for some of history’s greatest minds, including Karl Marx, who wrote parts of Das Kapital, and Virginia Woolf, who used the library for research.

Museum was once a living zoo

During 19th century, the museum had a collection of live animals including kangaroos, elephants and giraffes. These were part of the natural history collection, which was later transferred to the Natural History Museum in 1881.

Entry to the British Museum is free of charge

Unlike many major museums around the world, the British Museum has always offered free admission. You can walk through its extensive galleries and discover world history for free..