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Collection of Classical Antiquities

The Collection of Classical Antiquities presents artworks dating from Greek and Roman antiquity, including architectural remains, sculptures and vases, as well as inscriptions, mosaics, bronzes and jewellery. The collection is on display in two separate museums, the Pergamonmuseum and Altes Museum. In addition to these two main sites, objects from the Collection of Classical Antiquities (in particular art from the Roman provinces and Cyprus) have also been merged with artefacts from other collections to form part of the permanent exhibition in the Neues Museum.

The collection

With around one million visitors each year, the Pergamonmuseum is one of most popular of all the National Museums. Its main attraction is the Pergamon Altar (2nd century BCE). The frieze depicting the battle between the gods and Titans is regarded a masterpiece of Hellenistic art. The next room to the south contains the market gate of Miletus, an exquisite piece of Roman architecture. From there visitors can proceed to the Museum of the Ancient Near East.





Once the two major exhibitions 'The Tell Halaf Adventure' and 'Pergamon - Panorama of the Ancient City' have gone on show in 2011 and 2012 respectively, the Museum of Islamic Art will move in and occupy the north wing of the Pergamonmusuem as its future new home.

Since 24 February 2011 the collection of Greek art is unveiled in the new setting of the Altes Museum. The archaic tomb and votive statues, classic tomb reliefs, vases, bronzes, terracotta works and jewellery will offer visitors an impressive overview of the art of ancient Greece, all on show on the main floor. Visitors to the museum will be invited to embark on a tour that will begin in the east room with the Minoan and Mycenaean ages and continue through shrines and necropolises. The north room is dedicated to the subject of gods and mortals. Incorporated into this section is an exquisite selection of ancient coins from the Numismatic Collection. The west room is dedicated to Hellenistic art and the Greeks in southern Italy. At its centre is the statue, found in Tarent, of the goddess seated on a throne, which forms a particular highlight to the exhibition.

Thanks to this restructuring, the Collection of Classical Antiquities has not only made an essential contribution to the realization of the Museum Island Master Plan, but most importantly of all has finally managed to unite its ancient sculptures with its collection of craft objects.