The most interesting among the buildings gathered on Museum Island in Berlin, is the complex hosting Pergamonmuseum, one of the most important museums in Germany with the impressive art collection comparable to Louvre and British Museum. It got its name after the most impressive item – the altar from an Asian town Pergamum.
Pergamon Altar
The museum was build between 1912 and 1930 with the general idea to create an ancient artifacts exhibition, which was to put into the shadow the French and British collections, as Germany wanted to be the leader in archeology field , after the late start in the new fashion of excavation works held all over the ancient civilization sites. And so the museum is the largest one, even if not in a volume of gathered items, then definitely in the size of the buildings – the room holding the famous altar is mere 16 m in height.
This is one of the biggest features of Pergamonmuseum, there are not single items taken out of their original sites, but the large details of architecture, that were moved and reconstructed in Berlin with a great amount of time and effort. This general concept allows the visitors to dive and feel the past surrounded by the original space cube from the ancient times.
Among the spectacular life size reconstructions are :
The Pergamum Altar
The altar dedicated to Zeus and Athene has been founded by the Attalid kings, who wanted the Syrian town of Pergamum to became the new Athens in Asia Minor.
The fieze decorating the base is 120 m long and 2,30 m high, and depicts the battle of Olympian gods against the Giants, sons of Gaia. The victory of Olymp is tied to the strength and victory of kingdom of Pergamum over the neighbours.
The Gate of Ishtar
One of the entry gates from Babylon enlarged by the part of Processional Way leading to the town.
Gateway to Miletus market
Build in AD 120 was one of the core buildings of the Roman town’s market. It over 16m high as well.
Facade of Mschatta Palace ( 774 AD )
This fragment is from the southern facade of the caliph’s palace in Jordan.
Among the smaller size pieces of ancient art the most interesting are the reliefs of various origins including the one from Assyrian palace of king Ashurnasirpal II. There are numerous Roman bronze statues, a large collection of Greek and roman coins, the throne room of king Nebuhadnezzar II.
The collection is divided into three theme exhibitions.
The Antiquities (Antikensammlung) shows the Greek and Roman artifacts.
Near Eastern Antiquities (Vorderasiatisches Museum) displays the Istar Gate from Babylon, and many smaller items also from other Eastern countries like Persia,Syria, Iran.
Islamic Art (Museum für Islamische Kunst) hosts an extensive collection of Eastern carpets, prayer’s rugs and other religious items.
Pergamonmuseum
Bodestrasse 1–3 (entrance from
Am Kupfergraben)
Phone: 20 90 55 66.
Opening hours:
10am – 6pm Tue–Wed, Fri–Sun,
10am – 10pm Thu.
Closed Easter,Pentecost,Christmas and New Year.
[photo courtesy of freakyman]
