Pergamon Museum

The Pergamon Museum stands at the end of a long chapter of collecting and discovery on Berlin’s Museum Island. Built to showcase major archaeological finds from the 18th and 19th centuries, it brings together three vast collections under one roof: the Collection of Classical Antiquities, the Museum of Near Eastern Antiquities, and the Museum of Islamic Art.

Pergamonsaal and the altar that named it

The museum’s most famous space is the Pergamonsaal, home to the Pergamon Altar from 165 BC, originally part of a grand complex in the ancient city of Pergamon in Asia Minor. Rising to the height of three stories, the altar is striking for both its scale and its precise craftsmanship. A sweeping frieze shows gods locked in battle with giants, its fine details highlighted by the room’s uniform stone-colored setting.

Facing the staircase, a small model on the left maps the original layout of the frieze panels on the altar. On the right, a 1:300 scale model of the ancient city of Pergamon offers a wider view of the world that produced the monument.

Monumental architecture and ongoing restoration

Another highlight is the monumental Market Gate of Miletus, a towering facade from a Roman marketplace. Recently restored, it showcases the museum’s role in preserving and presenting large-scale architectural pieces from antiquity.

Tickets, free Sundays, and the panorama

On the first Sunday of each month, many Berlin museums waive entry fees; advance reservations are sometimes required. Details are available through Museums Sonntag Booking. Since 2018, the experience has expanded with a vast 360° panorama of Pergamon in a separate building, included with the Pergamon-only ticket.