Museum Island is an island in the River Spree in Berlin, Germany, located in the Mitte borough. It is home to five internationally renowned museums, and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The island is home to some of the world’s most important collections of ancient art, sculpture, and architecture.
History
The island was first developed in the early 19th century, when the Prussian royal family commissioned the construction of the Altes Museum, which opened in 1830. The island was expanded over the following decades, with the opening of the Neues Museum in 1855, the Alte Nationalgalerie in 1876, the Bode Museum in 1904, and the Pergamon Museum in 1930.
Museums
The five museums on Museum Island are:
- Altes Museum – This museum is home to a collection of classical antiquities, including Greek, Roman, and Egyptian artifacts.
- Neues Museum – This museum houses a collection of 19th century art, including works by German artists such as Caspar David Friedrich, Adolph Menzel, and Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
- Alte Nationalgalerie – This museum features a collection of 19th and 20th century art, including works by French, German, and American artists such as Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin, and Edward Hopper.
- Bode Museum – This museum houses a collection of sculptures, coins, and medals from the medieval period to the present day.
- Pergamon Museum – This museum features a collection of ancient artifacts, including the world-famous Pergamon Altar, a huge structure originally built in the 2nd century BC.
Other Attractions
In addition to the five museums, Museum Island is also home to a number of other attractions, including:
- Berlin Cathedral – This is the largest church in Berlin, and is a popular tourist attraction.
- Berliner Dom – This is a museum dedicated to the history of the Berlin Cathedral.
- Neptune Fountain – This is a large fountain located in front of the Altes Museum.
- Berliner Dom Treasury – This is a museum featuring a collection of religious artifacts from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Getting There
Museum Island is accessible by public transportation, and is a short walk from the nearest U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations. It is also possible to take a boat tour of the island, which is a popular activity for tourists.
Opening Hours
The museums on Museum Island are open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm. The Berliner Dom is open from 9am to 6pm, and the Berliner Dom Treasury is open from 10am to 6pm.
