The Kulturforum is a unique complex of museums,
concert halls and libraries, based at the south-eastern end of the
Tiergarten. Every year, some of the most outstanding European art
museums, as well as the famous concert hall of the Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra, attract millions of visitors who are interested in culture
and music. The Kulturforum, based in the former West Berlin, has been
growing since 1956, as a counterpoint to the Museumsinsel in the former
East Berlin. Here visitors can admire some of the best examples of
modern architecture in the capital.
Gemäldegalerie
Neue Nationalgalerie
Kunstgewerbemuseum
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Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 10
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10am–6pm Tue–Fri, 11am–6pm Sat, Sun
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030 266 29 51
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Adm. charge
Musikinstrumenten-museum
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Ben-Gurion-Str.
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9am–5pm Tue–Wed & Fri (to 10pm Thu), 10am–5pm Sat, Sun
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030 254 810
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Adm. charge; free Thu eve.
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Enjoy a break around the quiet back of the Nationalgalerie.
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A day ticket (€8) gives admission to all museums.
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Top 10 Sights
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Gemäldegalerie
Berlin’s
largest art museum boasts some of the finest masterpieces of European
art. They are displayed in the modern Neubau, built in 1998 by the
architects Heinz Hilmer and Christoph Sattler. The superb collection
includes paintings by Holbein, Dürer, Gossaert, Bosch, Brueghel the
Elder, Vermeer, Titian, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt and many others.
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Neue Nationalgalerie
Based
in a building by Mies van der Rohe, the gallery exhibits mainly
20th-century art, with an emphasis on German Expressionism, such as Karl
Schmitt-Rottluff’s Farm in Daugart (1910) .
Neue Nationalgalerie in the Kulturforum
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Philharmonie
This
tent-like building, designed by Hans Scharoun in 1960–3, was the first
new structure in the Kulturforum. Considered one of the best concert
halls in the world, it is the seat of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
It is also known, jokingly, as “Circus Karajani”, after Herbert von
Karajan (1908–89) who conducted the Philharmonic Orchestra for many
years. Sir Simon Rattle has been the conductor since 2002.
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Kunstgewerbemuseum
Craft
objects from the Middle Ages to the present day and from around Europe
are on show here, including valuable items like this Baroque clock and
the Guelphs’ treasure .
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Musikinstrumentenmuseum
Concealed
behind the Philharmonie is this fascinating little museum of musical
instruments. More than 750 exhibits, particularly of early instruments
such as harpsichords, are on show , as well as a 1929 Wurlitzer.
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Kammermusiksaal
The
smaller relative of the larger Philharmonie, this concert hall is one
of Germany’s most highly regarded venues for chamber music. It was built
in 1984–8, to a design by Hans Scharoun, carried through by his pupil
Edgar Wisniewski.
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Kupferstichkabinett
The
Gallery of Prints and Drawings holds more than 520,000 prints and
110,000 drawings from all periods and countries, including a portrait of
Dürer’s mother .
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St Matthäuskirche
This
church is the only historical building to have been preserved in the
Kulturforum. Built by F A Stüler in 1844–6, it is also a venue for art
installations as well as a hall for classical concerts.
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Staatsbibliothek
Built
in 1967–78 according to plans by Hans Scharoun, the National Library
has a collection of five million books, manuscripts and journals, making
it one of the largest German-language libraries in the world.
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Kunstbibliothek
The
unassuming Art Library holds, among other items, a vast collection of
art and advertising posters. It also hosts temporary exhibitions on
architecture and art as well as design shows.