Museum Island is the northern half of an island in the Spree river in the central Mitte. It received its name for a complex of five internationally renowned museums that occupy the island's northern part. I liked that each museum (unfortunately I only visited 2 of 5) was designed to establish an organic connection with the art it houses. The importance of the museum's collections – which trace the development of civilizations throughout the ages – is enhanced by the urban and architectural quality of the buildings. I spent almost more time staring at the ceiling than the art behind glass.
The three-winged Pergamonmuseum was built to exhibit the greatly expanded collections of antiquities resulting from German excavations at Pergamon and other Greek sites in Asia Minor as well as those from Mesopotamia. It was jaw dropping and it rocked that you get free audio guides with admission.
The Neues Museum has a monumental main staircase. The richly decorated interior contrasts with the plain exterior. The Neues Museum was recently reopened in October 2009 after sitting ruined for over 60 years after being heavily damaged in bombings of Berlin during WWII. Evidence of the bombings and gun fire has been left in the redesign of the building. Blackened original columns stand next to smooth, clean columns and bullet holes are still evident on the exterior and interior walls. On the interior, an effort to preserve frescoes and moldings from the 19th century building shares a space with distinct lines between where the old and the new materials meet.
I think I walked 40 km in two days. Let me sleep.
xo em
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