Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing some original components. The gate itself is embellished with two animals: a bull and a
mythical dragon-like combination of lion, cobra, eagle, and scorpion. The long hall leading
to the main gate—designed for a huge processional of deities to celebrate the new year—is
decorated with a chain of blue and yellow glazed tiles with 120 strolling lions (representing
the goddess Ishtar). To get the big picture, find the model of the original site in the center of
the hall.
These main exhibits are surrounded by smaller galleries. Upstairs is the
Museum of
Islamic Art.
It contains fine carpets, tile work, the Aleppo Room (with ornately painted
wooden walls from an early 17th-century home in today's Syria; since it was commissioned
by a Christian, it incorporates Arabic, Persian, and biblical themes), and the Mshatta Facade
(walls and towers from one of the early eighth-century Umayyad “desert castles,” from
today's Jordan).
Oddly, Museum Island's so-called “new” museum features the oldest stuff around. There
are three collections here: the Egyptian Collection (with the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti;
floor 0 and parts of floors 1-2), the Museum of Prehistory and Early History (floor 3 and
parts of floors 1-2), and some items from the Collection of Classical Antiquities (artifacts
from ancient Troy—famously excavated by German adventurer Heinrich Schliemann—and
Cyprus, just off the entrance).
The top draw here is the Egyptian art—clearly one of the world's best collections. But
let's face it: The main reason to visit is to enjoy one of the great thrills in art appreci-
ation—gazing into the still-young-and-beautiful face of Queen Nefertiti. If you're in a pinch
for time, make a beeline to her (floor 2, far corner of Egyptian Collection in room 210; for
more on the museum, see
www.neues-museum.de
)
.
Audioguide:
The fine audioguide (included with admission) celebrates new knowledge
about ancient Egyptian civilization and offers fascinating insights into workaday Egyptian
life as it describes the vivid papyrus collection, slice-of-life artifacts, and dreamy wax por-
traits decorating mummy cases.
VisitingtheMuseum:
AfterbeingdamagedinWorldWarIIandsittinginruinsforsome
40 years, the Neues Museum was recently rebuilt. Everything is well-described by posted
English information and the audioguide.
To tour the whole collection, begin by going all the way to the top (floor 3) where you'll
find the
prehistory section.
The entire floor is filled with Stone Age, Ice Age, and Bronze
Age items. You'll see early human remains, tools, spearheads, and pottery.
The most interesting item on this floor (in corner room 305) is the tall, conehead-like
Golden Hat,
made of paper-thin hammered gold leaf. Created by an early Celtic civiliza-
tioninCentralEurope,it'sparticularlyexquisiteforsomethingsoold(fromtheBronzeAge,
