Hauptbereich

Collection of Classical Antiquities

The Antikensammlung (Collection of Classical Antiquities) contains Greek and Roman works including not only architectural remains, sculptures and vases, inscriptions and mosaics but also bronzes and jewellery. It is on display in two locations: the Pergamon Museum and the main floor of the Altes Museum.

The collection

With an annual figure of 1.000.000 visitors the Pergamon Museum ranks among the most popular buildings of the state museums. Its main attraction is the Pergamon Altar (2nd century BC). The frieze depicting the battle between the Gods and Giants is regarded as a masterpiece of Hellenistic art. The next room to the south contains the market Gate of Miletus, an outstanding example of Roman architecture. From there visitors can proceed to the Museum of the Ancient Near East.

Examples of Greek architecture are presented in the hall of Hellenistic architecture adjoining the great hall to the north. The northern wing of the Pergamon Museum contains classical sculptures from the Archaic age to the Hellenistic period, ancient copies of Greek originals as well as Roman art.

Greek and Roman art and sculptures can be found in the Altes Museum. The main highlights, the art of the Etruscans, will go on show when major restoration work on the building has been completed. Until then an exhibition of Greek works of art is open to the public on the newly designed main floor of the building. This thematically arranged exhibition includes stone sculptures, clay and bronze figures, friezes, vases, gold jewellery and silverware. Three information displays provide details on additional topics such as Greek myths, ancient city culture and the archaeological sites investigated by the Berlin museums.

Roman art is represented by relatively few pieces such as portraits of Caesar and Cleopatra, sarcophagi, mosaics, frescos and Roman-Egyptian mummy portraits offering a taste of the final presentation.

Plaster models of antique art are on display in the Replica Collection in Berlin-Charlottenburg. In the nearby Gipsformerei (Replica Workshop) replicas are available for purchase.

legendPergamonaltar im Pergamonmuseumend of legend

• About the collection
• History
• Exhibitions
• Media
• Events
• News
• Research
• Publications
• Conservation
• Address / Contact
• Opening Hours
• Freunde der Antike auf der Museumsinsel e.V.
• Altes Museum
• Pergamon Museum
• Bilddatenbank Friederichs
• Casts made by the Replica Workshop
• Raumplan des Alten Museums (PDF)
• Raumplan des Pergamonmuseums (PDF)