Review: Pergamonmuseum

Editor's note: This museum is closed for renovation until 2037.

What's all the hype around the Pergamonmuseum?
The stately Pergamonmuseum, one of the highlights of Museum Island, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with five historical institutions devoted to art and archaeology. Built over a period of 20 years and opened in 1930, the enormous three-wing museum is packed with ancient treasures from Rome, Greece, and the Middle East, some dating back 6,000 years. Its star attraction—and the museum’s namesake—is the Pergamon Altar, a masterpiece of Hellenistic art from 180–160 BCE. (However, the altar, and most of the north wing in which it’s housed, is undergoing refurbishment until 2023.) This is one of Berlin’s most-visited museums, so even though it’s large, expect long lines and crowds.

Break down what we can expect to find at this sprawling museum.
The vast collection of ancient works is spread across three wings: Islamic Art, Ancient Near East, and Classical Antiquities. The museum is best known for the meticulous reconstructions of monumental archaeological structures, which often take up entire rooms. They include the Ishtar Gate and Processional Way of Babylon, a towering mosaic-tiled archway dating from the sixth century BC, and the Market Gate of Miletus, from 100 AD, a massive, multi-tiered marble structure. There are also countless ancient mosaics, sculptures, and cultural and religious artifacts.

What's the space like? Nearly 100 years after its opening, has it been kept up to date?
Thanks to skylights, many of the rooms with the architectural reconstructions are flooded with natural light. As the museum is undergoing extensive renovations and expansion (to house a fourth wing), expect more changes.

What's the crowd like?
The Pergamonmuseum is the most-visited art museum in the city and it gets very crowded with tourists from all over the globe, especially now that one wing is temporarily closed. The large-scale rooms can absorb a lot of people, but be prepared for some jostling around the most popular attractions like the Ishtar Gate and the Aleppo reception hall.

How have the renovations affected accessibility?
The lines for admittance can be extremely long, so be prepared to wait. Book a ticket online to speed up entry.

Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it?
The gift shop is closed due to renovations.

Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere?
The cafe is closed due to renovations.

If we're short on time—or energy—is this museum a good idea?
Give yourself plenty of time to explore this massive museum; especially given that you'll need to wait in a long line to get in, you'll want to spend some time here. The hit list includes the Ishtar Gate and the Processional Way of Babylon, the Market Gate of Miletus,the Mschatta Façade, and (when it reopens in 2023) the Pergamon Altar.