Thank you to everyone who took part in our museum photo challenge! You shared amazing photos and stories of museums and galleries around the world. And, collectively, you contributed more than 400 new reviews and photos on Google Maps, helping people everywhere choose their next cultural destination.
It was no easy task to select the best entries as each one shared something unique. That’s why, we will be awarding the new Connect badge not to ten, but twenty Local Guides!
Without further ado, here are 20 of the best entries in alphabetical order. The list continues in the first comment below.
If you don’t see your name, don’t worry — our next challenge is coming up in July. It will be about one very special occasion. 
** @AdrianLunsong introduced the**Manchester Museum in Manchester, UK
He said: “The photo shows the older section of the museum. This view doesn’t do justice to the impressive size of the sperm whale skeleton but it does show you the beautiful building that harbors it. You can see the skylight roof that lets in natural light and the various floors with different but fascinating natural history exhibits.”
Read more here.
** @Amiran introduced the**Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art in Tehran, Iran
He said: “This [photo] represents the spirit of the architecture of the building. When you follow artworks and visit different parts of the building, you’re indeed on a smooth path that moves you from the floor to the underground, but you don’t notice at all! This image clearly shows the movement. It also shows the concrete columns that are a representation of standing and resistance.”
Read more here.
** @AZ_2021 introduced the**Pine-Strawberry Museum in Pine, AZ, USA
She said: “The photo best encapsulates the museum’s layout. The carpeting and flat open flooring show that the rooms are accessibility-friendly. Also, it shows how the museum features historic artifacts, glass displays, and writing that you can read to further grasp the exhibits. While the photo may not be the most aesthetically pleasing with splashes of color, the dull tones reflect the toughness of life in the early 1900s in the United States.”
Read more here.
** @Cecilita introduced**Museo Moderno in Buenos Aires, Argentina
She said: “I like this photo because you can see that the people are enjoying their visit. I also like it because the pieces of art (mannequins and the green arch) are made with lots of recycled materials. This photo merges the two things I like the most… museums and ecology!! Can it be better? 
”
Read more here.
** @deadmanjones introduced the**Apedale Heritage Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK
He said: “Apedale is a small volunteer-led museum, created by the local community to celebrate the history of their recently ended mining industry. This photo has had many views already, probably because it clearly shows the accessibility of the venue and the type of artifact the museum holds. In this case not great art or jewels — bricks.”
Read more here.
** @ErmesT introduced the**Biennale Of Children’s Art in Zero Branco, Italy
He said: “The Biennale Of Children’s Art is a very small children’s museum. It was opened, or rather reopened, just two weeks ago. I was at the opening and I had the opportunity to speak with the director, a retired teacher who wanted to dedicate her experience to creating a unique thing: art created by children together with teachers.”
Read more here.
** @JanVanHaver introduced the**Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent, Belgium
He said: “In the museum, they have been doing restoration and maintenance work on [‘The Ghent Altarpiece’] for several years already. This has been done in a step-by-step process where parts of the painting (which consists of several smaller wooden panels) are removed from the cathedral and transported to the museum. I decided to share this picture on Maps because it is something unique which you will not be able to see again once the work is done. It is a perfect illustration of the multiple functions that a museum often has: not only a place where works of art are shown but also where active efforts are made to preserve the heritage.”
Read more here.
** @Jesi introduced**Museo Histórico Nacional in Buenos Aires, Argentina
She said: “At first glance, you might think that it’s just a regular part of a museum and you might even be thinking that it shouldn’t be touched, but it’s quite the opposite! In fact, both pieces are tactile models of a historic and protected painting and sword, so people who are visually impaired can enjoy the exhibit as well. During my time there, everyone enjoyed this accessible feature! They had braille next to them as well, tactile maps, and many more features.”
Read more here.
** @LightRich introduced**Museo Casa Presidencial Lázaro Cárdenas in Mexico City, Mexico
He said: “The picture I’m sharing is located in a special room. [It] is a portrait of Lázaro Cardenas with his wife Amalia and their little son, Cuauhtémoc — who later will become a prominent political figure in my country. It impacted me because it shows them in the privacy of their family life; you can feel the proximity between them and the tranquility that the closeness generates.”
Read more here.
** @MukulR introduced the**Bangladesh National Museum in Dhaka, Bangladesh
He said: “This boat is known as a Rocket Steamer as they had more speed compared to the traditional ferry years ago when they started their service in Bangladesh. At present, Bangladesh has three paddle steamers running a route. I think people should know that paddle steamers are still available somewhere on Earth. Most modern people may not have the experience of riding on or seeing a paddle steamer in their country.”
Read more here.
Please see the other ten winning photos in the comment below. Tell us: which one is your favorite?
Congrats to all winners.
