Museums Archives ⋆ The Passenger

March 23, 2025March 23, 2025

Expressionism

August Macke (1887–1914) was a prominent German Expressionist painter and a key member of the ‘Der Blaue Reiter’ (The Blue Rider) group. Born in Meschede, he spent much of his life in Bonn, where he developed his distinctive style characterized by vibrant colors and simplified forms. His works often depicted serene urban scenes, gardens, and still lifes, radiating light and harmony. Tragically, Macke’s career was cut short when he died at the age of 27 during World War I in France. Despite his brief life, he produced over 11,000 artworks, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of art.

March 22, 2025March 23, 2025

Museumsmeile

The Museumsmeile in Bonn, located along Adenauerallee, is a cultural hotspot featuring four renowned museums that showcase art, history, science, and nature. Visitors can explore these attractions conveniently and enjoy the nearby Rheinauenpark or the river Rhein for a relaxing walk afterwards.

February 21, 2025March 1, 2025

Palacio Nacional

The Palacio Nacional in Managua, Nicaragua, stands as a testament to the country’s rich history and cultural heritage. Originally commissioned by President Juan Bautista Sacasa in 1935 and designed by architect Pablo Dambach, this neoclassical edifice has witnessed significant events in Nicaragua’s past. Today, it houses the National Museum, offering visitors a comprehensive journey through the nation’s history and artistic achievements.

February 14, 2025February 28, 2025

La Sabana

The Museo de Arte Costarricense, located in San José, Costa Rica, is a significant cultural institution that opened its doors in 1978. The museum is housed in the former terminal building of La Sabana International Airport, which operated from 1940 to 1974. This unique setting adds historical value to the museum, as it preserves the architectural heritage of Costa Rica while showcasing a diverse collection of over 6,000 artworks spanning from the mid-19th century to the present day.

February 13, 2025February 28, 2025

Cuartel Bellavista

The Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, located in San José, is housed in the historic Cuartel Bellavista, a fortress-like structure with a rich and complex history. The construction of the Cuartel began in 1917 under the regime of Federico Tinoco, who sought to strengthen the military institution after his coup d’état. The building served as military barracks for decades, and its exterior walls still bear bullet holes from Costa Rica‘s 1948 civil war. Following the abolition of the army by José Figueres Ferrer in 1948, the Cuartel Bellavista was symbolically transformed into the National Museum in 1950, marking a significant shift from military to cultural purposes.

February 12, 2025February 28, 2025

Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología

The Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología in Ciudad de Guatemala is a treasure trove of Maya artifacts and cultural heritage. Housing the country’s largest collection of ancient Maya relics, the museum showcases an impressive array of monumental stone sculptures, including Classic-period stelae from Tikal, Uaxactún, and Piedras Negras. Visitors can marvel at a superb throne from Piedras Negras, animal representations from Preclassic Kaminaljuyú, and rare wooden lintels from temples at Tikal and El Zotz. The museum’s collection also features exquisite jade necklaces and masks, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship of the ancient Maya.

January 19, 2025January 19, 2025

Dichterfürst

One of the most important sons of the city of Frankfurt am Main is for sure Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He died at Weimar and is buried at the Fürstengruft there, but he is still present in his birthplace. One example of that is the Frankfurter Goethe-Haus at the Großer Hirschgraben, the place he was born at in 1749 and the seat of his family until 1795. Unfortunately, the house itself was destroyed in 1944 during an air raid – but the interior was preserved. After long debates the house was rebuilt and serves as a museum today.

November 6, 2024December 24, 2024

Nejjarine

Finding the Musée Nejjarine des Arts et Métiers du Bois inside the maze that is constituted by the medina of Fès is quite a challenge. Once you’ve found the Place Nejjarine or Carpenters Square you can enjoy the atmosphere of this place, observe the craftsmen, discover the fondouk (a beautifully decorated fountain) and explore the nice museum. The Musée Nejjarine is an old caravansary, a wonderful building which exhibits the fine works of carpenters on several levels, from doors via chests to wooden weaving machines.

November 3, 2024December 30, 2024

Art moderne et contemporain

Musée Mohammed VI Art Moderne & Contemporary, Rabat

As the capital city of Morocco, Rabat for sure needs a great art museum. Named after the current ruler Mohammed VI, the Musée d’art moderne et contemporain delivers what you would expect: contemporary art presented in a modern environment. Unfortunately, locals often miss the opportunity to see this wonderful museum because of its rather high entrance fee. The museum was opened in 2014 and on two levels artworks of 200 Moroccan artists from the 20th and 21st century can be seen.

November 2, 2024January 2, 2025

Villa des Artes

There aren’t too many places in Morocco to see contemporary art, especially local contemporary art. The one place I liked most is the Villa des Artes at Casablanca, located in an art déco villa build in 1934 close to the Parque de la Ligue Arabe. it is not a vast museum, but a beautiful building with two floors full of artworks by current Moroccan artists. While I was visiting the museum a large tent in the garden even extended the available exhibition space.