Pergamonmuseum

The Pergamon Museum took twenty years to construct between 1910 and 1930, completing the collection of museums housed on Museum Island. Pergamon Museum was built in order to store and exhibit the rich selection of antiques that were shipped to Germany from Asia Minor throughout the early 20th century. It is one of the most visited museums in Germany.

The Pergamon Museum takes its name from its most talked about exhibit: the Pergamon Altar. This 35-metre wide structure dates back to the second century BC, and strongly resembles a temple, but actually consists of the restored front portion of a pre-existing monument. The Pergamon Altar takes its name from the ancient Greek city of Pergamon, which is now within the borders of Turkey, and was originally discovered by a German expedition during the 19th century.

Once you’ve climbed the massive central staircase, the exquisite sculptural detail upstairs will be revealed to you, presenting a mythical battle between gods and giants. The altar is contained within the Collection of Classical Antiquities department of the Pergamon Museum, which is just one section of this fantastic development. The Collection of Classical Antiquities also houses sculptures, art, jewellery and pottery from Ancient Greece and Rome.

The Museum of Islamic Art department, featuring a spectacular collection of intricate textiles, carpets, ceramics and book illustrations, is not to be missed. There are also wonderfully detailed paintings hung on the walls of the Aleppo Room. These walls have been designed to recreate the reception room in the house of a Syrian broker during the Ottoman Empire.

Another artefact that will attract many visitors is the magnificent stone Mshatta Facade, which was once a section of an ancient palace in the remote Jordanian desert. All visitors will want to see the fabled Ishtar Gate in the Museum of the Ancient Near East department—this huge structure is a genuine reconstruction of the gates to the city of Babylon.

This is a magnificent historical site that will intrigue all visitors. The Pergamon is located on the northern tip of Museum Island, and is easily accessible by tram, bus, and U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains.