A cluster of five world-renowned museums on the Spree River in the heart of Berlin. The Altes Museum opened to the public in 1830, the first building of a complex that now spans 105,000 square meters (1.1 million square feet). The site gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999. With the cornerstone laid in 1825, celebrations for the bicentennial began that year in the German capital.
A Spit of Land Transformed into a Cultural Sanctuary
The Spreeinsel (Museum Island) houses five major institutions built between 1830 and 1930. Karl Friedrich Schinkel’s Altes Museum inaugurated this transformation of marshy terrain into a museum district. The Neues Museum followed in 1859, the Alte Nationalgalerie in 1876, the Bode-Museum in 1904, and the Pergamonmuseum completed this architectural saga in 1930. Each building bears the signature of its era: Prussian neoclassicism for the Altes Museum, historicism for the Neues Museum, and ancient temple style for the Alte Nationalgalerie.
Collections Spanning 6,000 Years of History
The bust of Nefertiti at the Neues Museum has drawn crowds since its rediscovery in 1912. The Altes Museum displays Greek and Roman antiquities, including Schliemann’s Trojan gold collection. The Alte Nationalgalerie brings together works by Caspar David Friedrich, Claude Monet, and the French Impressionists. The Bode-Museum houses medieval sculptures and Byzantine art. The Pergamonmuseum remains closed until 2027 for renovation – the temporary exhibition “Pergamonmuseum. Das Panorama” presents part of its collections in a neighboring building, with closure scheduled from September 1 to October 13, 2025.
2025 Bicentennial Program
The laying of the Altes Museum’s cornerstone on July 9, 1825, launched the bicentennial celebrations, and festivities continue: The Altes Museum hosts the special exhibition “Founded on Antiquity: Berlin’s First Museum” from July 9, 2025, to May 3, 2026, featuring an architectural model of the building and the first acquisitions from 1830. The Long Night of Museums on August 30 exceptionally opened all six buildings on the island under the theme “Love in Berlin.” Celebrations will extend until 2030, with one building highlighted each year.
Access and Ticketing
The Museumsinsel metro station (U5 line) has served the site directly since 2021. A day pass for $15 USD (14 euros) grants access to all six buildings – Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Bode-Museum, Pergamonmuseum. Das Panorama exhibition, and James-Simon Gallery. Free admission for visitors under 18. The James-Simon Gallery, the main visitor center inaugurated in 2019, centralizes visitor services.
Hello! I’m Ben Fischer, a travel enthusiast who has journeyed far and wide to bring you unique and inspiring stories. Each destination is a new adventure for me, a chance to explore diverse cultures and share unforgettable experiences.
In my articles, I take you beyond mere descriptions of places. I share the encounters, special moments, and anecdotes that make each trip unique. My writing is an invitation to see the world through my eyes, blending practical tips with personal insights.
As a lifelong traveler, I approach each journey with respect and curiosity, eager to uncover the stories hidden in every corner of the globe.
