When the Fitzwilliam Museum opened its doors in the early 19th Century, it was an absolute marvel. Its imposing façade of Doric columns and wall reliefs seemed a homage to the ancient Roman institutions of learning. Grandeur expressed through the neoclassical architecture was just a hint as to the treasures that were stowed within.

This grew to become the arts and antiquities museum of Cambridge University, tracing the evolution of civilizations through art and grew into one of the most magnificent galleries seen. Covering 4 millenniums, several continents and over half a million works of art, the Fitzwilliam Museum is extensive. No two days are the same as exhibits are routinely rotated and shuffled so you would never know what to expect when visiting. The handiwork of Titin serves as a foray into the Renaissance while Rembrandt’s experimentation is capturing in his etchings. Rewinding the tape back further, we arrive at illuminated manuscripts from the medieval era found nowhere else on earth and autographed music scores written by Handel and Purcell. Art isn’t restricted to the canvas but flows over fragile porcelain and currency, clunky armor and wooden facemasks. Art courses down the river from Nubia and Sudan, from the Arabic Peninsula and the scattered fragments of Islamic Art elsewhere. So vast is the Fitzwilliam collection that a single day will take you no further than a few galleries. Here, the only problem you’ll face is in picking which stories to prioritize and read into.