See the World from Your Home with Google Arts & Culture
Be it France, Italy, Spain, the USA, or the ruins of Machu Picchu – you can go there within just a few clicks!
You might remember an online trend back in 2018 where people posted matching pictures of themselves and artwork from international museums. They did that using the Art Selfie feature, one of about a dozen gimmicks Google Art & Culture has to offer.
Google Art & Culture is a non-profit online platform that’s working with over 2,000 organizations in 80 countries to preserve and promote the cultural knowledge of the world.
Here, you can learn about art, history, cultural tourism, and many more. Everything is readily available to the public via the website https://artsandculture.google.com and apps on Android and IOS.
One of the most impressive things about the platform is the innovative features that immerse you in a virtual world of arts and culture. It’s a corner of the world that, up until this point, very few get to see.
For instance, Art Camera lets you view classic arts in full HD. Reality Tours allows you to explore a virtual copy of world-famous museums, while with Art Projector, you can see any artwork in real-life size thanks to Augmented Reality tech. And these are only the tip of the iceberg!
The features we’ll focus on today will make definitely make your stay at home a lot less dull and allow you to explore wonders from all over the world – meet 360° Videos and Street View.
360° Videos
360º Videos compiles VR YouTube videos on topics like science, fashion, art, history, architecture, and various landmarks. Enjoy a full voice narration for all 188 clips; most of them are bite-sized, lasting between 0.30-5.00 minutes.
There are dozens of stories that’ll take you away from the confines of your rooms to cultural attractions and historical sites on the other side of the world.
Explore Incredible India in 360° | Journey through India’s Hampi, Goa, Delhi, and Amritsar and see iconic spots as well as the local day-to-day life. You’ll soon find out what makes India one of the top destinations for those who love adventures.
The Grand Tour of Italy - Palio of Siena | Join the crowd at the legendary annual horse race, Palio di Siena at Gampo Square of Siena, Tuscany. This locale is mostly famous for its beautiful landscape and rich history.
Inside the Cells of the Conscientious Objectors at Richmond Castle | In the prison of Richmond Castle in New Yorkshire, England, you’ll see murals and engraving that tell stories of politics, religions, and lost loves by the prisoners and discover exclusive facts.
Kenai Kayak Adventure | Row a kayak across a frozen lake in the Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, USA, and take in the winter scenery that’s simply breathtaking.
There are also other 360º videos to explore the world with; check them out here!
Street View
Google Maps’ Street View function takes you on a tour at popular tourist destinations and iconic landmarks in various countries. Immerse yourself in a virtual environment built from millions of panoramic images.
With this, you can see every city in stunning details, every shop and attraction in the world, while preserving its unique charms.
For Google Arts & Culture, Street View is offering many places you can explore, divided into topics you can pick and choose to match your interest.
On this platform are renowned museums, art exhibitions, ‘all-area’ sports stadium tours, global landmarks, cultural attractions, street art areas, and ancient historical sites.
If you’re not quite sure where to start, here are some highlights you should visit at least once, even if it’s just on the virtual space.
Great Pyramid of Giza | One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt has become a must-visit for countless travelers. It’s full of historical knowledge waiting to be discovered.
17 Virtual Tours of Iconic Movie Locations | Take a tour through some of the scenes you saw in iconic movies such as X-men, Inception, Robocop, Bridget Jones’s Diary, La La Land, and Notting Hill.
Machu Picchu | Walk through the lost Incan citadel, Machu Picchu, located in the Andes, Peru. Another one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it’s a can’t-miss for those who want to learn more about the history of the Incan.
12 Banksy Murals You Can See on Street View | Admire the work of the world’s most elusive street artist, Banksy, who’s been putting up graffiti work on the streets of England for over 30 years. As for which ones are still on display today, find out for yourself on Street View.
There are all sorts of awesome destinations for you to explore. Get started here!
