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Unusual Museums

© Roxanne Nelson

Tired of staring at the same old Rembrandts and Picassos? Are all the Michaelangelos, DaVinici's and Van Gogh's turning into one multicolored blur? Traditional museums are great for art lovers and those who wish an occasional injection of culture and beauty - however, you're not one of them. Or maybe you've done the Louvre, the Prado the Rijksmuseum and are now looking for something a little more unusual in museums. Well, rest assured, on your next trip to Europe, you can soak up the odd, the bizarre, the wicked and the just plain weird. And as an added bonus, less crowds to deal with and lines to stand on. What I'm referring to are the lesser known museums of Europe - those offering visitors an intimate look at everything from erotica (several spread around the continent) to torture to circus and clowns. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, here are some of the more interesting choices, located in a few of Europe's great cities.

Amsterdam

What would a trip to Amsterdam be without a visit to the Torture Museum, Damrak 20-22, 31-20-639-2027? This is serious vice at its best. The museum itself is as unsettling as any of its displays. If you've ever wondered what instruments of torture really look like, this is the place to be.

For cat lovers, there's the Kattencabinet, Herengracht 497, 31-20-626-5378. If you're into tattoos and their history, there's the Tattoo Museum, Oudezijds Achterburgwal 130. And if you have a craving for vintage US Army vehicles in mint condition, check out the General George C. Marshall Museum, Noordweg 15A, 3336 LH Zwijndrecht (this one's not in Amsterdam, but just in case you venture beyond the city limits).

Berlin

The city is packed with the odd and unusual, but the best known offbeat museum is probably the Erotik Museum, which stands prominently at the corner of Kantstrasse and Joachimsthalerstrasse, 49-30-886-0666. There are other erotica museums in Europe, but this may be the largest and most complete, and very conveniently shares space with an X-rated theater and sex shop. After you take a leisurely stroll through the history of sex, you can go shopping for supplies or work up a good lust at the theater.

If you're a dog lover, visit the Hundemuseum, Alt Blankenburg 33, 481-39-31, and for the cannabis lover, take a peak into the Hanf (Hemp Museum), Muhlendamm 5, 49-30-242-4827. You'd be surprised at the number of things hemp can be used for - you can even buy hemp-spun clothing at the gift shop. For those interested in the Gay Culture, there's the Gay Museum, Mehringdamm 61, 49-30-693-1172, and for the cold war aficionado, the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, Friedrichstrasse 44, 49-30-251-10-31, stands at the spot made famous in so many cold war movies and novels.