Guide to Visiting Pergamon Museum

Author: Janice Vazquez | Last updated: October 23, 2024

Market Gate of Miletus in Pergamon Museum — *Market Gate of Miletus*

The Pergamon Museum, situated on Museum Island in Berlin, Germany, offers a captivating journey through ancient history, from the grandeur of ancient Greece and Rome to the rich artistic traditions of the Islamic world. Each year, a million visitors from all over the world come to this iconic museum to view artifacts from Islamic Art, Near East, and monumental structures. Given the museum’s vast size, and extensive exhibits, planning ahead is essential to making the most of your visit. This travel guide offers historical background on the museum’s origins, best time to visit, and must-see exhibits.

Historical Background on Pergamon Museum

Its origins trace back to the late 19th and early 20th century excavations by German archaeologists, Carl Humann, Alexander Coze, and Wilhelm Dorpfeld, who uncovered remarkable treasures from the ancient city of Pergamon (modern-day Turkey). As the museum’s collection grew, it expanded to include artifacts from Islamic Art and Ancient Near East, which transformed it into a major repository of ancient and medieval treasures from the Mediterranean, Near East, and Islamic world.

General Information

Currently, the museum is closed for renovations and will reopen in Spring 2027.

When will the Pergamon Museum reopen?

According to the official Pergamon Museum site, the Pergamon Museum was closed in October 2023 and expected to reopen in spring 2027.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jbEFRbdTk4FK4dPD9

What to see in the Pergamon Museum

The Pergamon Museum’s collection is divided into three main exhibition areas, all housed within a single complex: the Antiquity Collection, Islamic Art Museum, and the Middle East Asian Museum. Together, these sections showcase a remarkable collection of ancient artifacts, monumental architectural reconstructions, and artworks, spanning from antiquity to the Islamic period. When visiting, be sure to explore the key exhibits:

Ishtar Gate and Processional Way

The facade of the Ishtar Gate in Pergamon Museum — *Ishtar Gate*

These impressive structures are ancient Babylon masterpieces, built during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II in the 6th century BCE. The Ishtar Gate, dedicated to the goddess of love, war, and fertility, was one of the eight gates that surrounded Babylon and was the main entrance to the city.

model of Ishtar Gate and Processional Way — *Model of Ishtar Gate and Processional Way in Pergamon Museum*

A lady standing in front of blue tiles with lions — *Janice and Processional Way in Pergamon Museum*

Beyond the gate stretched the Processional Way, a long, decorated road lined with glazed bricks and reliefs of lions and flowers. This route was used during religious ceremonies such as when statues of the gods were paraded along it during the New Year Festival, symbolizing Babylon’s connection to the divine.

Market Gate of Miletus

Mosaic Tile in front of Market Gate Miletus — *Mosaic Tile*

The gate was built in the 2nd CE in the ancient city of Miletus (modern-day Turkey). It served as the grand entrance to the city’s marketplace, symbolizing the prosperity and importance of Miletus during the Roman rule. Its intricate design and monumental scale reflected the city’s status as a key trading and cultural center in the Roman Empire.

Islamic Art Collection

Wooden carvings in a shape of a octagon — *Alhambra Dome*

An extensive collection of artifacts from across the Islamic world, stretching from Spain to India and covering a wide range of time periods from the 8th to the 19th century. Among the most notable pieces include the Aleppo Room, a 17th century wood-panel room from a wealthy Syrian merchant’s house, Islamic textiles and ceramics featuring elaborate patterns, and the Alhambra Dome, a 14th century architectural piece from Spain.

Pergamon Altar

The altar was built in the 2nd century BCE in the ancient city of Pergamon, following the victory of Pergamenes over the Galatians, Celtic people. The altar features a monumental Gigantomachy frieze, depicting the battle between gods of Mount Olympus and the Giants. This scene symbolizes triumph of order, represented by the gods, over chaos, embodied by the Giants. Note: Unfortunately, the Pergamon Altar was under renovation, so I did not get a chance to take a picture of it.

Time Needed: 1 hour in the archaeological museum

Enjoy Your Time in Berlin

Berlin offers an exciting mix of history, culture, and museums. I hope that you’ll find these tips to be useful when visiting the Pergamon Museum in 2027. Don’t hesitate to drop a comment to let us know what you think.

Read our relevant posts to learn more about additional attractions to visit in Berlin.