Pergamon Museum, Berlin, Germany

The Pergamon Museum was designed by Alfred Messel and Ludwig Hoffmann and was constructed in twenty years, from 1910 to 1930. The Pergamon Museum houses original-sized, reconstructed monumental buildings such as the Pergamon Altar and the Market Gate of Miletus, all consisting of parts transported from Turkey.

The museum is subdivided into the antiquity collection, the Middle East museum, and the museum of Islamic art. The museum is visited by approximately 1,135,000 people every year, making it the most visited art museum in Germany.

By the time the Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum on Museum Island (today the Bodemuseum) had opened, it was clear that the museum was not large enough to host all of the art and archaeological treasures excavated under German supervision. Excavations were underway in Babylon, Uruk, Assur, Miletus, Priene and Egypt, and objects from these sites could not be properly displayed within the existing German museum system. As early as 1907, Wilhelm von Bode, the director of the Kaiser-Friedrich-Wilhelm-Museum had plans to build a new museum nearby to accommodate ancient architecture, German post-antiquity art, and Middle Eastern and Islamic art.

This large three-wing museum had been in planning since 1907; when Alfred Messel died in 1909 his close friend Ludwig Hoffman took charge of construction, which began in 1910. The construction continued during the First World War (1918) and the great inflation of the 1920s. In 1930, the building hosting the four museums opened.

The Pergamon Museum was severely damaged during the air attack on Berlin at the end of the Second World War. Many of the display objects were stored in safe places, and some of the large pieces were walled in for protection. In 1945, the Red Army collected all of the loose museum items, either as war booty or, ostensibly, to rescue them from looting and fires then raging in Berlin. Not until 1958 were most of the objects returned to East Germany. Significant parts of the collection remain in Russia. Some are currently stored in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg.

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Pergamon Museum

User Reviews

Selin Can (11 months ago)
Before the renovation, I had a chance to visit this astonishing amazing museum. If you’re interested in Aegean- Mediterranean archeology and history , here’s a must see for you. After visiting this museum I was so motivated to work more detailed at my art works. The color palette, combination of motifs and geometry of Islamic artworks are very unique and different than European ones. I was so glad to be able to experience different art movements at the Museum Island. Don’t skip these museums when you’re in Berlin.

Harsh Singh (2 years ago)
One of the most interesting museums I have ever been to. Would surely recommend to anyone who likes history. Alot to learn and much beauty to admire. It took us about 3 hours without rushing and we were able to walk through all the exhibits. TIP: Make sure to carry an A4 size bag if you would like to carry some water or any thing else inside with you. There is a coat check area and lockers for bigger bags. You just need 1-2 Euro to access them which you can get back at the end of your tour. Enjoy!

Chris Who (2 years ago)
Not a bad place. Not too big but enough to see. Pictures attached. It has very good disability access and the staff are very friendly. You need to leave your bags in lockers and need a euro or a 2 euro coin, which is returned after you take your stuff back out. Very bright and airy. Great perspective with the life size exhibits. Worth a visit but it isn't free.

Prasanna Ballal (2 years ago)
A must visit museum in Berlin. Museum has so much collection of historical antique items. Ishtar gate is the main attraction and it's beautiful and huge. Also the Roman market fascade is huge and it's well preserved in museum. Audio guide helps in getting the information easily about all the artifacts. Very much recommended museum in Berlin.

kimia (2 years ago)
If you haven't seen this museum till now, don't lose the chance to get familiar with the awesome history of great ancient human civilizations, it also can be interesting for kids or teenagers. Apparently it is gradually getting under construction section after another section, unfortunately I missed some important parts due to the reconstruction work, later on I had to check the missing parts on the original video & virtual tour of the museum.

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