Pergamon Museum, Berlin
Facade of the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
The monumental Zeus Altar from Pergamum.
Lion on the famous Ishtar Gate, Pergamon Museum.
Room of Greek sculptures.
Mihrab and tapestries in the Museum of Islamic Art.
The Aleppo Room built for a Christian family in Aleppo, 1600-03.
Detail of an Assyrian relief depicting a lion hunt.
Location map and aerial view of Pergamon Museum. For a larger interactive view, see our Berlin Map.
The Pergamon Museum (German: Pergamonmuseum) is a fantastic museum in Berlin that consists of three submuseums: the Collection of Classical Antiquities (Antikensammlung), occupying the architectural halls and the sculpture wing, the Museum of the Ancient Near East (Vorderasiatisches Museum) and the Museum of Islamic Art (Museum für Islamische Kunst). With specialities like these, this is one of the best places in Germany to see religious art.
What to See
The star of the Classical Antiquities department is the Zeus Altar (180-160 BC), which is so large that it has a huge room all to itself. The frieze took over 20 years to reassemble from thousands of fragments uncovered in modern-day Bergama, Turkey. Steps lead from the museum floor up to the colonnade. Most fascinating is the frieze around the base, which depicts the struggle of the Olympian gods against the Titans. It is strikingly life-like, with figures that project as much as a foot from the background.
This department also contains the Market Gate of Miletus as well as sculptures from many Greek and Roman cities, including a statue of a goddess holding a pomegranate (575 BC), found in southern Attica, where it had been buried for 2,000 years. It was so well preserved that flecks of the original paint are still visible on her garments.
The Near East Museum contains one of the largest collections anywhere of antiquities from ancient Babylonia, Persia, and Assyria. Among the exhibits is the Processional Way of Babylon with the Ishtar Gate, dating from 580 BC, and the throne hall of King Nebuchadnezzar II (604 - 562 BC). Cuneiform clay tablets document a civilization that created ceramics, glass, and metal objects while Europe was still overrun with primitive tribes.
In the south wing of the museum is the Museum of Islamic Art, featuring miniatures, carpets, woodcarvings and illuminated manuscripts.
The museum provides an excellent 30-minute, English-language recorded tour, which you can pick up at the entrance.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Pergamon Museum; Peramonmuseum |
| Location: | Berlin, Germany |
| Category: | Museums |
| Faith: | Museum |
| Date: | 1910-30 |
| Architect: | Alfred Messel |
| Architecture: | Modern |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 52.520961° N, 13.396432° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Bodestraße 1-3, Museumsinsel, Mitte, 10178 Berlin, Germany |
| Phone: | 030/209050 |
| Website: | www.smb.museum |
| Hours: | Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun 10am-6pm; Thu 10am-10pm Closed Mondays |
| Tours: | 30-minute, English-language audio tours available at the entrance |
| Cost: | €8 adults, free for children under 16; free admission 1st Sun of each month |
| Photography: | Permitted |
| Public transport: | U-Bahn/S-Bahn: Friedrichstrasse Tram: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 15, or 53 |
Travel Resources
- Berlin Map - our detailed interactive map of Berlin, plus hand-picked links to more
- Berlin Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Berlin
- Berlin Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Berlin Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Berlin Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- Berlin Flight Search - compare multiple travel sites to find the lowest airfare to Berlin
- Berlin Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- Berlin Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Berlin tourism
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Personal visit (March 4, 2008).
- Pergamon Museum – State Museums of Berlin (official website)
- Frommer's Germany 2005
Article last updated: 10/27/2009.
