The Long Night of Museums Berlin
There’s something magical about walking through a museum at night. The moon shining through the skylights, the mystery of the dark corridors. The peaceful hush that effortlessly echoes around you from room to room. And there’s something even more magical about exiting the doors of the museum, stepping out into the chill of a crisp night, the moon paving the way as you walk to the next museum.
Since 1997, Berlin has been opening the doors to many of its museums during special hours lasting until 2:00am during The Long Night of Museums (Lange Nacht der Museen). Until 2012, this was held twice a year. Today, Berliners can experience this special night each August. What originally started as 18 participating museums has now grown to 80 participating museums in 2018. It’s an impressive opportunity for art, history, and museum lovers to experience such a wide array of what Berlin hosts behind its beautiful buildings.
The evening of the Long Night of Museums, there was an autumnal chill in the air as the sun began to set. People cozied up in jackets and hoodies, waiting in line at the food trucks for a beer or hot cider. We dashed off to the kiosk where an 18€ ticket granted us entry into as many of those 80 museums as we could get fit into one night. With individual tickets on Museum Island usually costing either 12€ or 10€, visiting just two museums made this ticket price a great deal!
Related Reading: An Afternoon at Berlin’s Urban Nation Museum
Altes Museum
First on the list for us was the Altes Museum. The building itself is a sight to be seen. Built between 1823 and 1830 by architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, it was originally intended to house the Prussian Royal Family’s art collection. It’s recognized around the world for being one of Europe’s most important Neoclassical buildings. At first glance, you might see its similarities to the Pantheon in Rome, with its tall, somewhat intimidating columns. Badly damaged during the Second World War, it sat in ruins until reconstruction began in 1955.
Today, the Altes Museum houses the Collection of Classical Antiquities, consisting of pottery, sculptures, paintings, and many other ornate pieces stemming from Ancient Greece on the ground floor and Rome on the second floor. Personally, I loved having the opportunity to see so many original sculptures up close. You’ll see depictions of Greek gods and goddesses as well as historical Roman figures such as “The Green Caesar,” a bust of Julius Caesar made of green slate.
Some things to note:
Before we move onto the next museum, here are some thing to keep in mind. Expect lines to form outside some of the museums, especially the more popular ones. There was a line outside the Altes Museum but they quickly moved us through in a matter of minutes. So, be patient but I also wouldn’t let the lines discourage you. Once you’re inside, you can take as little or as much time as you’d like to wander around. Large bags and backpacks are not permitted inside so keep this in mind or be prepared to check your larger belongings upon entering. Last but not least, snacks and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) can be purchased outside most of the museums. They even had food trucks lined up outside the Berliner Dom/Altes Museum.
After taking a break for a delicious German meal at Restauration 1840 near Hackescher Markt (highly recommended), we returned to Museum Island for our second museum of the night, the Neues Museum.
Neues Museum
Approaching the Neues Museum, live music beautifully echoed through the Colonnade Courtyard of illuminated columns lining the walkway. The long line of guests from a couple hours before had dwindled down and we were able to enter the museum without waiting. Immediately upon entering the Neues Museum, I was in awe. This museum has a completely different feel as compared to the Altes Museum.
Whereas the Altes Museum is bright and structured, the lighting of the Neues Museum and the concrete walls, exposed bricks, and large windows left me feeling as though I was walking through the massive halls of an ancient palace. The Neues Museum suffered more damage than any other structure on Museum Island during the Second World War. Bombs took out entire sections of the building which laid in ruins, exposed to the elements for over 60 years.
So, it goes without saying that the Neues Museum is so much more than just a museum. It’s a shining example (and one that has received many awards) of historic importance, blending together the complexities of preservation and new construction. In the first picture below, you can see an example of old meets new when glancing up at the ceiling.
As you climb the main staircase (pictured two photos down), you will see the contrast of the new white concrete elements with the preserved brick walls and the tattered and burned columns. Have a seat in this enchanting hall to appreciate the excellence of the work of architect David Chipperfield, who took any salvageable scrap from the damaged building, bullet holes included, and turned it into this masterpiece over the span of eleven years.
And as if strolling through this magnificent work of art isn’t enough, the exhibits housed inside the Neues Museum include the Egyptian and Prehistory and Early History collections. The most well-known exhibit is the iconic bust of Nefertiti, the Egyptian queen which has been incredibly well-preserved. Personally, I loved the vast display of stone tombs on the ground floor. The Egyptian collection is massive with over 2,500 exhibits on display.
I will admit, however, that because there is so much to see and due to the magnitude of this building and the way the exhibits are set up, I found it a little confusing and easy to miss certain displays. That said, I still find the Neues Museum to be one of the finest museums I have ever visited and I would absolutely recommend it to Berliners and visitors alike.
For its fascinating preservation and reconstruction as well as the fine artifacts housed inside, the Neues Museum is a must-see. I recommend carving out a good amount of time for this museum in order to fully appreciate its architecture and many exhibits.
As you can see from the photos, The Long Night of Museums is a unique experience. As the sun sets in Berlin, the museums transform. Whether you plan your visit around this annual experience or just happen to be here the night of the event, add it to your list. Berlin is a captivating city filled with culture and history, just waiting to be explored.
Check out all of my Berlin posts and guides here.
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