Bata Shoe Museum, Footwear museum in Toronto, Canada
Description
The Bata Shoe Museum is a footwear museum in Toronto, Canada, housing more than 13,000 pairs of shoes from different time periods and cultures. The limestone building was designed by architect Raymond Moriyama and resembles a tilted shoebox in its shape.
History
Sonja Bata started collecting shoes in 1946, and her private collection grew over decades through travel and targeted acquisitions. The museum opened to the public in May 1995 in a purpose-built structure.
Culture
The museum takes its name from the Bata family, who built a global footwear company, and its collection shows everyday and ceremonial shoes from different cultures around the world. Visitors can see traditional moccasins, ritual sandals, and decorated boots that people wore across centuries in their daily lives.
Practical
The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00, with free entry available every Sunday. The galleries are spread over several floors and can be explored at a comfortable pace.
Did you know?
The collection includes shoes worn by Queen Victoria, Marilyn Monroe, and Elton John, documenting 4,500 years of footwear history. Many visitors discover in the galleries how much shoes varied depending on climate, craft traditions, and social status.
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Toronto offers numerous attractions for families with children. The Toronto Zoo in Scarborough houses more than 5000 animals from all continents. The Ontario Science Centre in Don Valley East presents interactive exhibits on science and technology. The Royal Ontario Museum downtown displays...
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