Page 138 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

134 6 MORE MODERN BUILDINGS TO RIVAL THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS

Exterior of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal building at the Royal
Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada
An example of modern, minimalist architecture, the Guggenheim
Bilbao, Spain
Royal Ontario Guggenheim
Museum, Canada

One of the three extraordinary buildings of the Neue Zollhof Bilbao, Spain
(New Customs House) in Düsseldorf, Germany
NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION The Royal Ontario Neue Zollhof, NEED TO KNOW
Museum is on the northern side LOCATION The
of Queen’s Park, Toronto Guggenheim is in downtown "UMBOUJD 0 DFBO
CONSTRUCTION Germany Bilbao, northern Spain #*-#"0
1912–14
CONSTRUCTION
ACCESS Open to visitors $ "/"%" 1993–7 #BSDFMPOB
with tickets NEED TO KNOW 10356("- .BESJE
7BODPVWFS .POUSÏBM ACCESS Open to visitors
DAYTIME 8JOOJQFH with tickets
LOCATION The Neue Zollhof 41"*/
TEMPERATURES 0UUBXB is on the Rhine River waterfront, /PSUI DAYTIME
4FB
Jan: 23°F (-5°C); Apr: 43°F (6°C); 5030/50
6 4 " downtown Düsseldorf, Germany )BNCVSH TEMPERATURES Jan:
Jul: 70°F (21°C); Oct: 48°F (9°C) #FSMJO 48°F (9°C); Apr: 54°F (12°C); 4FWJMMF .FEJUFSSBOFBO
4FB
CONSTRUCTION 10-"/%
/&5)&3-"/%4 Jul: 70°F (21°C); Oct: 61°F (16°C)
1996–9
%PSUNVOE
Canada’s largest museum, affectionately called ACCESS Closed to %Ã44&-%03'
the public #&-(*6.
the “ROM” by locals, has seen dozens of world- (&3."/: $;&$) On its completion in 1997, Frank Gehry’s
DAYTIME 3&16#-*$
class exhibits, most involving world culture or TEMPERATURES Jan: 35°F 4UVUUHBSU Guggenheim Bilbao forever changed the way
natural history, pass through its halls since its (2°C); Apr: 47°F (8°C); Jul: '3"/$& critics viewed museums, providing a striking
63°F (17°C); Oct: 11°F (51°C) "6453*"
construction in 1912. But with the recent intersection between art and architecture.
Renaissance Royal Ontario Museum project Overnight, the industrial city of Bilbao appeared
wowing critics all over the world, it is the A Frank Gehry masterpiece, Neue Zollhof sees on everyone’s radar, with visitors coming from
museum’s ability to reinvent itself that has the architect’s whimsical – and some would say all over the globe to see the museum’s soaring
impressed connoisseurs of architecture. This deconstructionist – touch applied to commercial curves and funky angles. Situated along the
massive renovation and expansion initiative is office space. Three highly unique buildings are Nervion River, the structure is made of glass,
highlighted by the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, a tightly packed together in a densely populated titanium, and limestone, reflecting light off its
new angular facing designed by the highly part of the city. Each of the Neue Zollhof’s many odd angles. Visitors to the main entrance
respected architect Daniel Libeskind. By stepping buildings sports a different exterior: one is are greeted by Puppy, a 43-ft- (13-m-) tall topiary
into the 21st century with such an wonderful outfitted in metal panels, another is finished in terrier by artist Jeff Koons, which has also become
renovation, the museum is a shining example of plaster, and the third is covered in bricks. Instead a symbol of the city. Truly a benchmark in
how modern architecture can reinterpret and of yet another dour block of offices to pass by, modern architecture, the Guggenheim Bilbao is a
reinvigorate even the oldest of buildings. locals can now stop and marvel at the complex. visceral reminder of the power of the medium.
Practical Information Practical Information Practical Information
Getting There and Around Located in downtown Toronto, the museum is Getting There and Around There are several flights into Düsseldorf from Getting There and Around The airport is located 7 miles (12 km)
easily accessible by car, bus, or train. most of Germany’s major cities. You also also have the option of making outside Bilbao. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus to reach
When to Go Visit during Ontario’s moderate spring (Mar–May) and the journey by bus, train, or car. the downtown area.
fall (Sep–Nov). Check the museum’s calendar of events for When to Go Düsseldorf experiences harsh winters (Dec–Feb), with milder When to Go Visit during special performances and exhibitions, though they
special exhibits. temperatures the rest of the year. bring additional ticket costs and extra visitors.
Website www.rom.on.ca Website www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de Website www.guggenheim-bilbao.es

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