Germany

Museum Island

When walking around Berlin, be sure to check out Museum Island. The history of Babylon, Egypt, Persia, Gothic and romanticism - all this in its five museums. Conveniently, on a museum map in a couple of days you can get around them. The island also has a beautiful Cathedral.

Museum Island (Museumsinsel), photo by Vitalij Sosna

The Museum Island, or as it is also called the Museum Island (Museumsinsel), is located on the north side of the Spreeinsel Island on the Spree River in Berlin. This is one of the main attractions of the capital of Germany, since 1999, a UNESCO site.

Here are five iconic Berlin museums:

  • Old Museum (Altes Museum),
  • New Museum (Neues Museum),
  • Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie),
  • Bode Museum (Bode-Museum),
  • Pergamon Museum (Pergamonmuseum).

Museum Island Panorama, photo by Benreis

Also on the island of Spreeinsel, the Berlin Cathedral was erected, walking areas were equipped, a colonnade was built where you can watch a movie or a concert, relax. The famous Unter den Linden street passes through the island. Before the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Museum Island could only be reached from East Berlin.

The Monbijoubrücke pedestrian double bridge connects the island with both banks of the Spree. It was built in 1898-1904. designed by architect Ernst von Ine. The southern part of the bridge is thrown over the left sleeve (Kupfergraben), and the northern part - over the main Spree sleeve.

The emergence of Museum Island

King Friedrich Wilhelm II in 1797 supported the idea of ​​an art professor and archaeologist Alois Hirth to create a museum that would house works of art from antiquity and the New Age. And Friedrich Wilhelm III, in his highest decree in 1810, ordered the laying of "a public collection of carefully selected works of art." Thus began the history of Museum Island.

The first public museum in Prussia was the Old Museum, built on the island in 1830.
In 1859, the Royal Prussian Museum was opened; today it is called the New Museum.
They were followed by the National Gallery, which today is called the Old National Gallery.
In 1904, the Kaiser Friedrich Museum opened, renamed in 1956 as the Bode Museum, in honor of the great art historian and permanent director of the museum for many years.
And in 1930 the Pergamon Museum was built.

The concept of each museum was based on the idea of ​​preserving the heritage of European and Asian cultures, as well as artefacts of archaeological excavations of earlier civilizations.

During the Second World War, museums were badly damaged, a significant part of the exhibits perished. The reconstruction lasted a long time.

Museum Island today

View of Museum Island from the beach opposite, photo selbst

After the reunification of Germany in 1990, historians of both countries experienced significant difficulties in creating a single exhibition of the surviving rarities. Therefore, all the museums were alternately under reconstruction, which is not finished now. The last remained the Pergamonmuseum. Restoration work on the island of Museums cost the state one and a half billion euros.

For acquaintance with the museums of Berlin (30 in total), including the Museum Island, it is better to take the Museum Card of Berlin (Museumspass Berlin) for 3 days for € 29, reduced for € 14. You can buy tickets and find out additional information about opening hours and prices on the official website of Museum Island.

Museum Island - Berliners favorite vacation spot, photo by dinnouti

How to get there

Take the U2 underground line to the Spittelmarkt, Märkisches Museum, Hausvogteiplatz or Klosterstraße stations; Lines U6 - to the station Friedrichstraße.
By tram M1, M12 - to the stop Am Kupfergraben; M4, M5, M6 - to the Hackescher Markt stop.
By city train lines S5, S7, S9, S75 - to the station Hackescher Markt; lines S1, S2, S25 - to the station Friedrichstraße.

Watch the video: Berlin - The Museum Island World Heritage Site. Discover Germany (November 2024).

Popular Posts

Category Germany, Next Article

The best beaches of Italy
Trip planning

The best beaches of Italy

Choosing the best beach in Italy is not so easy. In a country that, by and large, is one solid coast, there are an infinite number of options, each of which stands out with something special. Nevertheless, having studied and compared numerous reviews, BlogoItaliano tried to create its own rating, which brings to your attention.
Read More
Visas to Italy for Russian citizens
Trip planning

Visas to Italy for Russian citizens

Italy became one of the Schengen states in 1997. To obtain a Schengen visa, the required package of documents is almost identical, but various consulates, in many cases, determine their specific requirements for applying for visas. The Schengen visa to Italy is divided into types: Type A visa to Italy - transit visa.
Read More
What to see in Prague on your own in 1 day
Trip planning

What to see in Prague on your own in 1 day

What to see in Prague on your own if you are in the city for only 1 day? We tried to make an optimal route around the city, covering all the most important for those who are going to the Czech capital for the first time. There are many attractions in the city, and therefore, in order to be in time, it is better to get up early. We propose to start the busy day program from the Újezd ​​stop, which is easy to reach from any part of the city.
Read More
Italy in December
Trip planning

Italy in December

For organizing outdoor activities - December in Italy is considered one of the most attractive winter months. This is especially true for the northern part of the country, where the ski season is gaining momentum. Alpine skiing is one of the important, but not the only component of winter holidays in Italy. Christmas deserves no less attention - perhaps the main winter holiday not only in Italy, but also in Europe in general.
Read More