Museo Egizio, Turin

Dedicated solely to Egyptian art and culture, Museo Egizio houses the world's second-largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Founded in 1824 by King Carlo Felice, the museum now contains more than 30,000 exhibits, narrating the history of Egypt from the Paleolithic to the Coptic eras. Exhibits contain funeral furnishings and numerous objects of everyday use. Look for the altar of the goddess Isis and the intact tombs of the architect Kha, a builder of pharaohs' tombs, and his wife, Merit. The staff has painstakingly preserved these ancient objects, presenting them in a visitor-friendly layout that makes exploring ancient history fun and informative for of all ages. Guided tours are available with prior reservation. For travelers who use our world travel planner, Turin holidays become easier to arrange, with trips to the Museo Egizio and other attractions mapped out and timetabled.