By Cindy Brzostowski, to Museum Spotlight Europe (March 2020)
For museum lovers, a whole island full of museums may seem like just a fantasy—but visit Berlin and you’ll find the real thing. Located right in the heart of the city in the Spree River, there’s the aptly named Museum Island, or “Museumsinsel” in German, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. This small island is home to five impressive institutions—the Pergamon Museum, Bode-Museum, Neues Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, and Altes Museum—making it one of Berlin’s tourist highlights.
The Island’s History
In the 13th century, way back before Museum Island was the main attraction it is today, this island area was the location for the old city of Cölln. Eventually, Cölln would merge with Alt-Berlin, its sister town across the river, to form a unified Berlin.
The beginnings of the so-called Museum Island date back to 1830 when the Altes Museum, then known as the Königliches Museum (or Royal Museum), was finished. In 1841, King Frederick William IV of Prussia dedicated this northern section of the island in the Spree to art and science, and by the late 1870s the area came into its identifier as Museum Island. The last of the current museums to open here was the Pergamon Museum, fittingly completed 100 years after the Altes Museum.
During World War II, Museum Island endured its fair share of damage. The Neues Museum specifically was left in ruins only to reopen in 2009 thanks to work completed under Museum Island’s Master Plan (a redevelopment and renovation plan agreed on in 1999).
One of the other exciting components of this Master Plan is a basement-level Archaeological Promenade that will connect four of the five museums (the Pergamonmuseum, Neues Museum, Altes Museum, and Bode-Museum), making it even easier for visitors to enjoy all Museum Island has to offer.
Today, it’s estimated that around three million people visit Museum Island each year.
What Exhibits You Can See
So what treasures await you at Museum Island? Turns out quite a lot and quite the range.
To kick things off, there’s the Pergamon Museum, which alone attracts around a million visitors each year. This museum holds classical antiquities, artifacts from the Ancient Near East, and Islamic art. While here, you can’t miss the monumental showstoppers: the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and the Roman Market Gate of Miletus. We’d include the striking Pergamon Altar too, but it’s closed for refurbishing until 2023.
Next up is the Bode-Museum. Inside its walls is a collection comprised of Byzantine works, sculptures, and the Münzkabinette (one of the world’s largest coin collections with half a million coins and medals). If you’re trying to hit the highlights, make it a point to see the “Pazzi Madonna” by Donatello, “Dancer” by Antonio Canova, and the “Christ the Merciful” mosaic icon.
Head on over to the Neues Museum for antiquity collections from Ancient Egypt, Prehistory, and Early History. You may have heard of the famed Nefertiti bust, and the Neues Museum is where you’ll find it. Besides that iconic piece, you should also check out the “Green Head” from the Late Period and the “Berlin Gold Hat” from the Bronze Age.
At the Alte Nationalgalerie, or Old National Gallery, it’s all about paintings and sculptures from the 19th century. With a collection that includes Neoclassical, Romantic, and Impressionist art, you’ll be able to take in works by Monet, Manet, Renoir, and more. Wondering what are some highlights here? “The Monk by the Sea” by Caspar David Friedrich, “In the Conservatory” by Edouard Manet, and “The Iron Rolling Mill” by Adolph Menzel are great pieces to start with.
Last but certainly not least, we have theAltes Museum. This one offers exhibits of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan artifacts. In fact, outside of Italy, this is the largest collection of Etruscan art. Before you go, make sure you’ve had a look at the Caesar and Cleopatra portrait busts.
Don’t Skip the Architecture
While you’re focused on checking out the exhibits inside each of the museums, don’t forget to note of the outside of the buildings, too. Each museum is an example of impressive architecture in its own right, and it’s worth it to just stroll around their exteriors before popping inside.
- The Pergamon Museum is an imposing building that took two decades to complete and was designed by famed German architect Alfred Messel.
- With its eye-catching dome, the Bode-Museum is the Neo-Baroque vision of architect Ernst von Ihne, who served as Emperor Frederick III’s official architect.
- The grand, neoclassical Neues Museum was originally designed by Prussian architect Friedrich August Stüler. Then, during the restoration efforts, the building was entrusted to David Chipperfield Architects, a British firm.
- Stüler also designed the Alte Nationalgalerie, whose temple-like construction was inspired by the Acropolis in Athens.
- Another in the neoclassical style, the Altes Museum was built by architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, whose works include Berlin’s concert hall in Gendarmenmarkt Square.
Information about Admission
For those planning a day exploring Museum Island (and there’s certainly more than enough to see there to warrant a full day), you have the option to purchase one ticket that grants you access to all five museums. Better still, it’s quite affordable with a general adult ticket costing just 18€ and a reduced ticket for qualifying groups like students is only 9€. Plus, children up the age of 18 years old are free!
If you have other museums on your Berlin itinerary outside of just those on Museum Island, then it may be in your best interest to pick up the three-day Berlin Museum Pass to save on admission fees. With this pass in hand (regular price from 29€ and reduced price from 14,50€), you’ll get access to over 30 exhibitions and museums including those on Museum Island, of course.
Tips for Your Visit
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when visiting Museum Island to make sure your trip goes off without a hitch. For starters, all of the museums except the Pergamon Museum and the Neues Museum are closed on Mondays. So if you’re looking to check all five off your list, make sure to visit Tuesday through Sunday. Museum hours run from 10am to 6pm every day except Thursday when the museums stay open two hours longer.
Enjoy your time exploring Berlin’s Museum Island!
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