Every May 18, the international community celebrates International Museum Day. Established by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977, International Museum Day commemorates how museums are “an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace among peoples.” The celebration of International Museum Day can last a day, a weekend, or an entire week depending on the museum that organizes the event.
The word “museum” comes from the Greek word “mouseion”, meaning the “seat of the Muses”. Museums in classical times (ancient Greece and Rome) were places of philosophical discussions, resembling modern-day universities rather than the museums that we know today. The term was revived in the 15th century to describe collections of curiosities, notably the collection of Lorenzo de Medici of Florence. As more collections grew, buildings were built and the collections were opened to the public. By the 18th century, museums became institutions that were established to preserve and display artifacts and other cultural materials.
Here are some interesting museums that are featured on banknotes:
The National Museum of Art of the Republic of Belarus is featured in the 1,000 Belarusian ruble note from 2000. The National Museum of Art is the country’s largest collection of national and foreign art, housing 30,000 artifacts and 20 collections of art. It was founded on 24 January 1939. (Belarus P-28)
The Tempo Voltiano (Volta Temple) is a neoclassical building in Como, Italy that is dedicated to Alessandro Volta. The museum is featured on the 10,000 Italian lira note from 1984. It contains many of the scientist’s instruments and experiments, including early samples of voltaic piles. The museum was completed in 1927 to celebrate the 100th death anniversary of Volta. (Italy P-112)
The Museo del Oro (Museum of Gold) from Bogota is one of the most visited museums in Colombia. It contains one of the largest collections of gold artifacts in the world, along with pre-Columbian pottery, stone, shell, wood, and textile objects. These objects are proof of the complex society found in Colombia before the Spanish arrived. Artifacts from the Museum of Gold, including the Calima culture heart-shaped pectoral and a golden mask, are featured on the 20 Colombian peso oro note from 1966. (Colombia P-409)
