Museum News

Istanbul - Ayasofya in Istanbul, one of the oldest Christian cathedrals in the world, was converted into a mosque and then a museum. Milllions of tourists visit it each year, and now Islamists want to open it as a mosque.

Paris - One of the world's most renowned museums, Paris's Louvre, did not open its doors Wednesday because its staff protested over pickpockets.

The British Museum, located in the Bloomsbury district of London, holds many treasures. On a recent visit I decided to examine some of the treasures in its section on Asia.

A stunning collection of blown glass sculptures, exquisitely capturing some of the most deadly viruses and bacteria, is to go on permanent display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

Izmit - A small museum in Izmit, Turkey, not far from Istanbul, features amazing exhibits of Roman, Greek, Byzantium, and Ottoman architecture, statues, burial markers, artifacts, and even gold leaf jewelry.

Glasgow - Researchers say they have discovered remains of a giant dolphin-shape crocodilian "super-predator" kept at Glasgow's Hunterian museum for almost a 100 years. They have named it Tyrannoneustes lythrodectikos, meaning "blood-biting tyrant swimmer."

Warrenton - The Old Jail Museum in Fauquier County, Virginia is an interesting place to tour. While one would expect to be touring an old jail building, upon arrival, visitors will be delighted to find there is that and so much more.

Izmit - Turkey is an archaeologist's dream. Not only does it offer amazing Mesopotamian, Greek, Roman, Byzantium, and Ottoman ruins, it also offers yet un-explored sites for those interested in archaeology.

Istanbul - Take a walk at twilight and peer through the entrance to a glass museum in Istanbul, a cafe in Kocaeli, and a florist in Izmit. Throughout Turkey you can find lights shining through glass.

New York - The New York City Metropolitan Museum of Art is being sued over its admission policies. The lawsuit contends the museum misleads the public into thinking the rates posted are mandatory and not suggested. The museum said the lawsuit is "frivolous".