Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Capping a tour of the museum is the
Aleppo Room
(room 16). Guests arriving in this
richly painted, wood-panelled reception room would have had no doubt as to the wealth and
power of its owner, a Christian merchant in 17th-century Aleppo, Syria. The paintings de-
pict both Christian themes and courtly scenes like those portrayed in Persian book illustra-
tion, suggesting a high level of religious tolerance.
Neues Museum
GOOGLE MAP
; 030-266 424 242;
www.smb.museum
;
Bodestrasse 1-3; adult/concession €12/6;
10am-6pm Fri-Wed, 10am-8pm Thu; 100, 200, Hackescher Markt)
is the residence of Queen
Nefertiti, the show-stopper of the
Ägyptisches Museum
(Egyptian Museum), and the
equally enthralling
Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte
(Museum of Pre- and Early
History). Like working on a giant jigsaw puzzle, the British architect incorporated every ori-
ginal shard, scrap and brick he could find into the new building. This brilliant blend of the
historic and modern creates a dynamic space that beautifully juxtaposes massive stairwells,
domed rooms, muralled halls and high ceilings. Museum tickets are only valid for admission
during a designated half-hour time slot. Skip the queue by buying advance tickets online.
TAKE A BRE
AKE A BREAAK
The nearest cafe is Alegretto at the Neues Museum, which serves regional and
GOOGLE MAP
;
www.12-apostel.de
;
Georgenstrasse 2; mains €8-16; M1, Friedrichstrasse,
Friedrichstrasse)
does breakfast and also has lunchtime pizza specials at heavenly
prices.
The Pergamonmuseum was purpose-built between 1910 and 1930 to house the
massive amounts of ancient art and archaeological treasures excavated by Ger-
man scientists at such sites as Babylon, Assur, Uruk and Miletus. Designed by Al-
fred Messel, the building was constructed after his death by his close friend Lud-
wig Hoffmann and badly pummelled in WWII. Lots of objects were whisked away
to the Soviet Union as war booty but most were returned in 1958.
Ägyptisches Museum
