Medelhavsmuseet (Mediterranean Museum), Stockholm

The Mediterranean Museum (Medelhavsmuseet) in Stockholm is a captivating institution dedicated to the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean and Near East. Established in 1954, the museum emerged from the merger of the Egyptian Museum and the Cyprus Collection, which housed significant collections of artifacts from their respective regions. The museum is part of the National Museums of World Culture, Sweden, a group of four institutions aimed at preserving and showcasing cultural heritage.

The museum's collection spans a broad range of artifacts, including ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Cypriot, and Near Eastern antiquities, as well as Islamic art. The Cyprus Collection is particularly notable, being the largest of its kind outside Cyprus, and was largely built from the findings of the Swedish Cyprus Expedition in the late 1920s and early 1930s. In 2009, a new gallery for Cypriot antiquities, designed by White Architects and funded by the A.G. Leventis Foundation, was inaugurated, further enhancing the museum's offerings.

Visitors to the Mediterranean Museum are treated to a rich display of art and history, with exhibits that range from Etruscan and Roman artifacts to Egyptian treasures that shed light on the life of the Pharaohs. One of the highlights of the museum is the Gold Room, which features a stunning array of gold artifacts from Cyprus, Greece, and the Near East, many of which were acquired from private collections, such as those of Georg von Békésy and Carl Kempe.

The Near Eastern Collection is especially impressive, focusing on objects from the Bronze Age and housing one of the world's most extensive collections of Persian bronzes. The Islamic Exhibition, covering 600 CE to 1900 CE, offers a diverse selection of metal, ceramic, and tile artifacts, showcasing the richness of Islamic art and culture.

Why You Should Visit:
The building itself (former bank) is worth a visit and having ancient jewelry displayed in the former safe is a very nice touch.
The mummies in the cellar are another highlight, and the presentation work gives visitors the impression of going down to the burial chamber of a pyramid.

Tip:
If you are in a hurry, take the Egyptian collection first; otherwise, go through the other sections first and keep this (the star attraction) to last.
Don't miss the Baghdad Café upstairs for some Middle Eastern fares and delicacies among authentic art dating from ancient times.