The Museum Island
The Alte Museum, built by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1825-1830, houses the Classical Collection and masterpieces from the National Gallery. He planned to create a center of art and archeology modeled on ancient temple areas. Today, five classical buildings on the islands in the Spree form a unique ensemble. In 1999 the UNESCO bestowed the area the greatest possible accolade by designating it a World Cultural Heritage site. Restructuring and rebuilding work were needed to bring together the many collections scattered across the city.
The newest part of the building (1878-1886), the Pergamon Museum, contains Classical and Islamic art (e.g. the Pergamon Altar and the Market Gate of Miletus). Both the New Museum (Egyptian Museum, Museum for Pre- and Early History) and the Bodemuseum (Late Antiquity and Byzantine Art, coin cabinet, sculpture collection) have been rebuilt. The Old National Gallery kicked-off the redevelopment on the Museumsinsel (Museum Island), which gained acceptance from an unexpectedly large number of visitors after just a short time.