Bode-Museum

– © visitBerlin.de, Koch

In October 2006, the Bode Museum on Berlin’s Museum Island was re-opened to the public after extensive renovations. The impressive three-winged museum complex is located on the northern-most tip of the island, directly alongside the Spree River. Seen from the water, the museum gives the impression of a gigantic ship above the waterline.

At the museum, three separate collections of international renown await the visitor: the sculpture collection (sculptures from the Early Middle Ages to the late 18th century), the Museum for Byzantine Art (art from the West-Roman and Byzantine Empires from the 3rd to the 15th century) and the Coin Cabinet, complemented by a gallery specifically for children.

Highlights at the Museum for Byzantine Art are the sarcophagi dating back to late Antiquity, and fragments of sarcophagi from Rome, sculptures from the East-Roman Empire, and precious ivory carvings and mosaic icons attributed to Byzantine court art. Greek and Roman coins from Antiquity, Islamic-oriental coins, as well as mediaeval currency from the Eastern European area are found in the extensive collection on show in the Coin Cabinet. The sculpture collection invites visitors on a stroll through figurative art from the Middle Ages to the late 18th century, while the children’s gallery entertains the youngest among art lovers with ever changing museum topics to experiment with.