Why the
Pergamon Museum
is special

The Pergamon Museum displays massive, original archeological treasures from the Near East and Middle East.

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Pergamon Museum
tips & insights

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Leading attraction

Its the 22-century-old Pergamon Altar. It was excavated a century ago in what is now Turkey, then disassembled, shipped and reconstructed in Berlin.

To get a sense of scale of this mammoth structure, notice the red-sweatered man climbing the steps in the photo. The friezes to his left and right are the Pergamon Altar's masterpieces. The sculptures show the Olympian gods battling the Titan giants.

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Second most
popular attraction

The honor goes to the immense and colorful 6th century BC Ishtar Gate from ancient Babylon (in today's Iraq).

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Other standouts

They include the colossal Market Gate of Miletus built in Roman times, the facade of Nebuchadnezzar's Throne Room, and the Islamic art collection.

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Controversy

It is regarding whether the Pergamon Museum should return some of its archeological treasures to their homelands.

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Nearby museums

The Pergamon is but one of several prominent museums on a small island in the middle of Berlin. One, the Altes (Old) Museum, showcases the famous painted bust of the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti.

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