London and São Paulo, two cosmopolitan cities replete with cultural attractions, have much in common. One example is the diverse options in terms of museums close to metro stations.
With value for money admission – often even free – the museums offer recreation, culture and education for all of the family.
Check out some recommendations that are close to metro stations in the English capital and Brazil’s largest city:
London:
British Museum: located close to Russell Square and Holborn stations (Central and Piccadilly lines), the museum specialises in ancient civilisation, with a collection of rare artefacts from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia, Persia, and the Mayan, Aztec, Inca, and Viking civilisations, as well as imperial China, the Middle East, India, African tribes, medieval Europe, and oriental populations. In addition to the works on show, the building itself, with its neoclassical architecture, is beautiful and imposing. Upon entering, there is an old staircase and, at the back, a covered area with glass and steel. Around you, you will find galleries, shops and cafes with collective tables.
Tate Modern: Close to both St. Paul’s and London Bridge stations (Central, Jubilee and Northern lines), the Tate Modern specialises in modern and contemporary art. The building itself is an attraction by its own right given that it is an old electric power plant located on the banks of the River Thames. The permanent exhibitions are housed over two floors, with works by Picasso, Pollock, Matisse, and Malevich dating from the 1900s. The museum also has a space reserved for temporary exhibitions and areas designed for children to draw and have fun.
National Gallery: located next to Charing Cross station (Northern and Bakerloo lines), the building is of neoclassical style, and houses a collection of paintings and drawings from various eras and places. The galleries are divided by chronological order: years 1250-1500, 1500-1600, 1600-1700 and 1700-1900.
National History Museum: with direct underground access from South Kensington station on the Piccadilly, Circle and District lines, this is the place for dinosaur lovers. At the museum entrance there is a full size, complete dinosaur skeleton. In another area there are several replicas, bones and the latest sensation: a “dinosaur doll” that moves when viewed through virtual reality goggles.
Victoria & Albert Museum: with direct underground access from South Kensington station on the Piccadilly, Circle and District lines (next to the National History Museum), the museum is dedicated to general art and design. With works from the medieval, Gothic and Renaissance periods, one of the highlights is Leonardo da Vinci’s original notebook. Also check out the internal garden and the museum cafe, places that recreate English class and elegance.
São Paulo:
Pinacoteca de São Paulo: If you come out of the Estação da Luz (Metro Line 4 – Yellow) you can access, right outside, one of the oldest and most important museums in Brazil, with a collection made up of works by Victor Brecheret, Anita Mafaltti, and di Cavalcanti. Next door, the Pinacoteca Station includes 200 works from the collection of the Fundação José e Paulina Nemirovsky, which has some of the most expressive works of Brazilian modernism, by artists like Lasar Segall, Candido Portinari and Alfredo Volpi. Tickets allow entry to both spaces. On Saturdays, admission is free.
Museu da Imigração: Next to the Estação Bresser-Mooca (Metro Line 3 – Red), you can enjoy various activities, workshops and visit the long-term exhibition “Migrar: experiências, memórias e identidades”, which introduces visitors to the works of preservation and research that represent the migration process. On Saturdays admission is free.
Museu de Arte Sacra de São Paulo: located next to the Estação Tiradentes (Metro Line 1 – Blue), the museum houses pieces relating to the history of both Brazil and the world. There are more than 18,000 pieces in the collection, remnants from the 16th to the 20th Century. The collection is replete with sacred artefacts including silverware, painting, furniture, altars, sacred vestments, nativity scenes and rare liturgical books. On Saturdays admission is free.
Museu da Diversidade Sexual: located on the Mezzanine floor of the Estação República (Line 3 – Red), the museum has the purpose of preserving the cultural heritage of the Brazilian LGBT community, as well as raising awareness amongst visitors about the respect and acceptance of the plurality and diversity of sexual orientation. As the first space officially dedicated to the subject in the Southern Hemisphere, the museum has promoted interactive shows like “Todos Podem ser Frida”, with photographic work by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and “Sonhar o Mundo”, which celebrates the recognition of sexual and gender diversity as a Human Right, inviting members of the public leave comments and suggestions.
Casa das Rosas: located next to the Estação Brigadeiro (Metro Line 2 – Green), museum – which is on the Avenida Paulista – at this museum it is possible to participate in soirees, concerts and other events related to literature and poetry that occur throughout the year. Also, it is possible to lie down in the garden and read a good book. Entrance is free.
