Opening of the Humboldt Box

Information centre on the development of the Berlin Palace

Since the end of June, you can marvel at the future Berlin in miniature in the Humboldt Box . This most important and prestigious building project is located against the prominent backdrop of the Berlin Dome, the Zeughaus Museum and Museum Island. The idea behind this is to awaken public interest and anticipation for the next eight years in the Berlin Palace (Humboldt Forum) currently under reconstruction. The progress of the construction will be documented by changing exhibitions as well as numerous events.

Although the 28 metre (92 ft) high, silver-blue metal construction appears like a permanent fixture of the city due to its solidity and massiveness, it is in fact envisaged as an interim solution for the new Humboldt Forum. The multiple-storey hexagonal structure containing 3,000 m² (32,900 ft²) space comprises exhibition rooms, a restaurant and a roof garden on the 5th floor which serves as a viewing platform available for hire for about 4,000 Euros. The Humboldt Box was opened to the public on 30th June 2011. Its operators estimate 300,000 visitors annually.

By 2019, it is intended for the Humboldt-Forum to become the new home of the Ethnological Museum and the Museums for Asiatic Art of the National Museums in Berlin, the Humboldt University in Berlin as well as the State and Central Library of Berlin - just a stone’s throw from the current Humboldt Box.

Completely in keeping with the humanistic ideals of the brothers Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt, efforts will be made in the direction of research on countries and regions outside Europe. The Humboldt Forum is envisaged to enrich the western view of the world through a non-European perspective, and thus encourage cultural exchange. As an example, the history of the Cameroon royal throne will illustrate aspects of the colonial period and create the framework to debate and analyse the circumstances existing at that time as well as their impact.

In addition, relevant exhibits taken from scientific collections will be presented together with the museums. For example, the history of Chinese porcelain from the Museum for Asiatic Art will show the first tentative beginnings of global trade. The in-house workshop will provide an insight into the meticulous restoration work undertaken on murals from cave temples along the Silk Road. And not to mention non-stop cultural events in the scientific cultural centre.

The Humboldt Box is open from Mondays to Saturdays 10 am to 6 pm and Thursdays from 10 am to 10 pm.
Tip: until the Humboldt Forum is opened, visit the Dahlem Museums. Tickets