Berlin is without a doubt a city rich in history and culture waiting to be explored. Some of the best ways to truly enjoy what the city has to offer is through visiting the museums which houses within itself the story of communities of people. From natural history to contemporary art, Berlin has an impressive selection of museums and galleries for you to peruse! Here are the top six picks to add on to your schedule the next time you find yourself in the city.
Hamburger Bahnof
Best known as one of the city’s most celebrated cultural locations, Hamburger Bahnof houses one of the largest and renowned collections of contemporary art in the world. Previously designed and serviced as one of the first major terminals of the German rail system, it is the only station from the bygone era and was first erected in 1846. Today, the building is home to permanent collections of major artistic movements dating from the 1960s and is part of the Berlin National Gallery.
Jüdisches Museum Berlin
First opened in 2001, Jüdisches Museum Berlin is the largest Jewish museum in Europe consisting of three buildings where you can find German-Jewish history exhibited through the library, archives and program of events. Here, you can dive deep into the history of the Jewish people and celebrate their culture through extensively researched and tastefully presented exhibitions. Learn about migration, diversity, persecution and triumphs through the trials of this community in this world-famous museum.
Sammlung Boros
Housed within a converted war bunker in the heart of Berlin, Sammlung Boros offers a museum experience like no other. Formerly a shelter for over 3,000 railway passengers built by Nazi Germany in 1943, the building is now home to private collection of contemporary art with works from the 1990s and 2000s. From sculptures to performance-based work of international standing, it is not a wonder why this museum is immensely popular and requires advance booking before a visit.
Natural History Museum
Offering an enchanting insight into the natural world, Natural History Museum is one of the most important research institutions for biological and geological evolution worldwide. Here, you can also find an incredible exhibition of the largest mounted dinosaur skeleton in the world which stands at a whopping 13 metres tall! Some of the permanent exhibitions you can expect include Cosmos & Solar System, Evolution in Action and more!
Neues Museum
Listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage, Neues Museum was first opened to public in 2009 and combines three separate collections - the collection of Egyptian art form the Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung, the collection of prehistoric objects from the Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte and the classical antiquities from the Antikensammlung. The combination of these collections allows visitors to learn and trace the development of cultures across the Middle East all the way to Scandinavia.
Martin-Gropius-Bau
Considered one of Europe’s most important exhibition venues, Martin-Gropius-Bau holds within its premises acclaimed contemporary and archaeological exhibitions. The most incredible feature of the building is the luminus atrium and ornate mosaic which were destroyed in the 1945 bombing but has since been restored to architectural perfection! Located nearby many attractions like Checkpoint Charlie, this museum is a great addition to your exploration and journey around this exciting city.
