# Pergamon Museum — Berlin, Germany

> The Pergamon Museum is a listed building on the Museum Island in the historic centre of Berlin, Germany. It was built from 1910 to 1930 by order of Emperor Wilhelm II according to plans by Alfred Messel and Ludwig Hoffmann.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Closed for renovation; Nordflügel and Pergamonaltar wing reopening planned in phases. Check official site.
- Admission: Varies by section when open; standard ticket €12 when accessible
- Free entry: Under 18 free always · Museum Island day pass covers all five museums
- Address: Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin, Germany
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
- Official website: https://www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/pergamonmuseum/home/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Pergamon Altar — Hellenistic craftsmen of Pergamon · c. 197–159 BCE
- Ishtar Gate of Babylon — Craftsmen of Nebuchadnezzar II · 575 BCE
- Market Gate of Miletus — Roman architects · 2nd century CE

## FAQ
**Is the Pergamon Museum open in 2025?**
The Pergamon Museum is undergoing a major multi-phase renovation that began in 2023 and is expected to continue until approximately 2037. During this period, the main Pergamon Altar hall is closed. The North Wing — containing the Market Gate of Miletus, the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, and the Museum of Islamic Art — reopened in phases from late 2023 onward. Always check the official Staatliche Museen zu Berlin website (smb.museum) for the latest access status before visiting.

**What is the Ishtar Gate of Babylon?**
The Ishtar Gate was the eighth gate of the inner city of Babylon (modern-day Hillah, Iraq), built by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 575 BCE. It was dedicated to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar and stood at the entrance to the Processional Way. The gate was covered in lapis lazuli-glazed bricks decorated with alternating rows of lions, aurochs (wild bulls), and sirrush (mythological dragon-like creatures). German archaeologist Robert Koldewey excavated the gate between 1902 and 1914; the reconstructed gate in Berlin stands 14 metres tall.

**What is the Pergamon Altar and why is it significant?**
The Pergamon Altar is a monumental Greek altar built in the 2nd century BCE in the city of Pergamon (modern-day Bergama, Turkey) under King Eumenes II. It features one of the most extensive surviving examples of Hellenistic sculpture — the Gigantomachy frieze (166 metres long), depicting the battle between the Olympian gods and the Giants. Carl Humann excavated the site between 1878 and 1886 and transported the altar to Berlin. It is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Greek art. The altar itself is inaccessible during the current renovation.

**Is it still worth visiting Museum Island in Berlin?**
Yes — even with the Pergamon's ongoing renovation, Museum Island (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) contains four other world-class museums: the Bode Museum (Byzantine art and European sculpture), the Alte Nationalgalerie (19th-century European painting and sculpture), the Altes Museum (Greek and Roman antiquities), and the Neues Museum (including the famous bust of Nefertiti). A 3-day Berlin Museum Pass grants entry to all Staatliche Museen zu Berlin sites and represents excellent value.

**When will the Pergamon Museum renovation be complete?**
The full renovation of the Pergamon Museum is a major structural project that is not expected to be complete until approximately 2037. The renovation is necessary to address structural issues in the 1930s building and improve facilities for modern museum standards. The project will be completed in phases — sections of the museum will progressively reopen over the coming years. The Pergamon Altar wing is expected to reopen around 2027, though dates are subject to change.

**How long should I spend at Pergamon Museum?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/pergamon-museum/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.