The common phrase, ‘art is subjective’, takes on new significance with these 14 delightfully strange and weird museums from all around the world.
From international toilet exhibits to the largest collection of hair, our list of the most unique and unusual museums in the world invites you to embrace the unconventional.
- Museum of Bad Art (Massachusetts, USA)
- Museum of Broken Relationships (Zagreb, Croatia)
- The Underwater Museum of Art (Cancun, Mexico)
- The Dog Collar Museum (Kent, England)
- Museum of Bread and Art (Ulm, Germany)
- Museum of Sex (New York City, New York)
- Chez Galip Hair Museum (Avanos, Turkey)
- The Icelandic Phallological Museum (Reykjavík, Iceland)
- Museum of Witchcraft and Magic (Boscastle, England)
- Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama (Yokohama, Japan)
- Museum of Miniature Books (Baku, Azerbaijan)
- International Cryptozoology Museum (Maine, USA)
- Beijing Museum of Tap Water (Beijing, China)
- Sulabh International Museum of Toilets (Delhi, India)
Museum of Bad Art (Massachusetts, USA)
‘Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder’ at the Massachusetts Museum of Bad Art. The exhibit welcomes “art too bad to be ignored”, featuring over 600 pieces, many of which were found in dumpsters, curbsides, or thrift stores.
However, the museum wouldn’t accept anyone’s lousy attempt at artistry. They only welcome artwork that is original and created with genuine intent. This museum will provide a unique perspective and look at art.
Museum of Broken Relationships (Zagreb, Croatia)
Don’t know what to do with mementos from your ex? Good news, you can donate them to this weird museum dedicated to failed relationships.
That’s right, the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb, Croatia features a collection of items from heartbroken lovers after their relationships have ended. From vials of tears to prosthetic legs, the exhibit honors the souvenirs of past connections.
All are welcome to donate their love affair mementos to the museum, regardless of size, accompanied by a note explaining the item’s significance.
Visit the museum’s site here: Museum of Broken Relationships
The Underwater Museum of Art (Cancun, Mexico)
You’d think to only expect marine life when diving into beautiful blue waters. That hasn’t been the case in Cancun, Mexico since the opening of the Museo Subacuatico de Arte, or Underwater Museum of Art, in 2010.
Museum-goers can snorkel, dive, or take a glass boat to explore over 500 sculptures that have been installed on the ocean floor.
The unique museum was established to preserve local coral reefs, using materials in their sculptures that allow coral to grow in and on them, thereby altering the appearance of the artworks over time.
Visit the museum’s site here: The Underwater Museum of Art
The Dog Collar Museum (Kent, England)
Have you ever pondered the fashion sense of a medieval dog? Located inside Leeds Castle in Kent, England, the Dog Collar Museum displays a collection of canine accessories dating back to the 15th century.
The one-of-a-kind exhibit showcases rare pieces from the Baroque period, as well as antique collars from centuries ago designed to protect our furry friends from wolves and bears.
Visit the museum’s site here: The Dog Collar Museum
Museum of Bread and Art (Ulm, Germany)
Housed in a Renaissance-era building in Ulm, Germany, the Museum of Bread and Art displays over 16,000 artifacts–but surprisingly, no actual bread.
The unique exhibition is split into two parts: one side consists of art, while the other side depicts the 6,000-year-old history of bread and topics like nutrition and consumption.
Visit the museum’s site here: Museum of Bread and Art
Museum of Sex (New York City, New York)
New York City’s Museum of Sex was founded in 2002 to “preserve and present the history, evolution, and cultural significance of human sexuality.” With more than 20,000 artifacts, the museum documents the history of human sexuality over time.
Featuring exhibits on the sex lives of animals and a vast collection of historic sex toys, this unusual Museum of Sex answers questions you never knew you had.
Chez Galip Hair Museum (Avanos, Turkey)
One of the world’s strangest museums, the Chez Galip Hair Museum, features the world’s largest collection of hair.
Gathered from more than 16,000 women, the caves of the Avanos hair museum are covered in locks of every length, color, and background. The names and addresses of the generous women accompany their locks on the walls of this bizarre and crazy museum.
The Icelandic Phallological Museum (Reykjavík, Iceland)
Containing the world’s largest collection of biological phalluses, the Icelandic Phallological Museum showcases over 215 different phallic specimens ranging from tiny hamsters to Canadian walruses.
In case that isn’t weird enough for you, the museum also features lampshades made out of bull testicles and four donated human displays. Without a doubt, there’s no better place to learn about the male sex organ.
Visit the museum’s site here: The Icelandic Phallological Museum
Museum of Witchcraft and Magic (Boscastle, England)
This weird museum might just cast a spell on you. Located in Boscastle, England, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic holds the largest collection of witchcraft supplies in the world.
From exhibits on the persecution of witches to accounts of ancient rituals, superstitions, and magic practices, visitors can explore the history of British magical practices.
Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama (Yokohama, Japan)
Who would’ve thought the budget meal for broke college students had its own museum?
The Cup of Noodles Museum in Yokohama, Japan honors the creator of the instant ramen, Momofuku Ando. This unique museum commemorates Ando’s contribution to providing impoverished survivors of WWII with inexpensive meals.
With factories where visitors can make their own chicken ramen and customized CUP NOODLES packages, this unique exhibit offers an interactive experience for noodle enthusiasts of all ages.
Visit the museum’s site here: Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama
Museum of Miniature Books (Baku, Azerbaijan)
Don’t forget a magnifying glass if you plan on visiting the world’s only Museum of Miniature Books in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The museum houses a collection of over 5,600 miniature books published in 66 different countries and even showcases the smallest book in the world. Among the thousands of miniature publications, one of the most unique displays is a copy of the Quran from the 17th century.
International Cryptozoology Museum (Maine, USA)
Step into the mysterious world of undiscovered creatures at the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
Cryptozoology is the study of unverified mythical creatures that are only rumored to exist, like Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster.
Loren Coleman, the museum’s founder, and expert in the field, showcases his collection of “evidence”, including footprints, fecal matter, and hair samples of many rumored legends.
One of the exhibition’s main attractions is a 2.5-meter “Crookston Bigfoot”–probably the only time you’ll get to witness the legendary creature in person.
Visit the museum’s site here: International Cryptozoology Museum
Beijing Museum of Tap Water (Beijing, China)
Built over the first city water plant in Beijing, the Museum of Tap Water examines the inner workings of bringing water supply to a metropolis. The museum features exhibits on how water is collected and filtered, as well as 130 real objects that depict the 90-year-old history of Beijing tap water.
Quench your thirst for knowledge with an educational experience on the ins and outs of hydrology!
Sulabh International Museum of Toilets (Delhi, India)
The Sulabh International Toilet Museum is more than its diverse collection of the ‘royal throne’. The exhibit takes you through the history of hygiene and sanitation, with examinations of sewage technology and the evolution of toilets, urinals, and chamber pots dating back to 2500 B.C.
Located in Delhi, India, this unusual museum is an immersive journey into the fascinating history of sanitation practices.
This completes our list of the 14 most unique and unusual museums from all around the world. From absurd collections of hair and terrible art to fascinating explorations of the history of bread and instant ramen, these museums invite you to embrace the weird.
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