Are you going to discover the German capital? Stop at the Bode Museum in Berlin and go through almost 2,000 years of history! Tickets, rates, schedules... Follow the guide!
The Bode Museum is located on the north tip of the splendid Museumsinsel , Berlin Museum Island, which includes five museums along the Spree River. Crossing the Pont de Monbijou, you have access to this sumptuous baroque building that houses a range of 2,000 works through three collections: a gallery of sculptures sweeping the Middle Ages to the classical era, the Byzantine Art Museum and a collection of coins and medals. What do you think?
History of the museum, visit, prices, schedules... Discover in this article everything you need to know to visit the Bode Museum in Berlin!
History of the Bode Museum in Berlin
The history of the Bode Museum began in 1871 in the heart of the German Empire, when the Imperial Court of Prussia evokes its desire to open a museum of art on the island to receive collections from different Christian eras. However, it was only between 1897 and 1904 that the building was built, a true neo-baroque masterpiece. It is destined to pay tribute to the Emperor Friedrich III and is therefore called then Kaiser Friedrich Museum . His architect, Ernst von Ihne, designs the site in relation to his environment: it seems to emerge from the water of the river Spree. It dives the museum of a sumptuous copper dome that will be greatly damaged during the Second World War.
In fact, the Bode Museum, like all the Island at the Museum, then belongs to East Germany (RDA). The museum was the victim of massive bombings that ravaged the German capital, but it was refurbished and reopened in 1956. He then takes his current name, Bode Museum, in honour of the first director and curator of the museum, Wilhelm von Bode . Indeed, this illustrious historian and eminent museum specialist is today considered one of the founders of the current museum! It is he who will work on the organization of the museum, an organization in total break with the traditions of the time.
Between 2000 and 2005, the Bode Museum is undergoing new renovations, allowing visitors to enjoy modern and spacious accommodation.
What to see and do at the Bode Museum?
Photo credit: Shutterstock / s4svisuals
Visiting the Bode Museum is an opportunity to admire the architecture of the building. Featuring a magnificent dome of nearly 40 meters high, it houses many rooms that are worth a visit: marble floors, sumptuous ceilings decorated with woodwork, imposing stairs... Don't miss the equestrian statue of King Friedrich III on the ground floor!
But you don’t come to visit the Bode Museum for its architecture, do you? Here are the three main collections of the museum:
La Galerie des sculptures
Visit the Bode Museum in Berlin gives you access to one of the world's most important sculptures collections. The aim of this collection was to present the history of European sculpture, from the Middle Ages to the classical era. It includes very important works for the history of German art, such as works of art Tilman Riemenschneider , one of the most prolific sculptors of the Middle Ages. In addition, the Bode Museum is home to real masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance, including the Madone Pazzi of Donatello or " The Dancer at Cymbals » by Antonio Canova.
The Byzantine Art Museum
The Byzantine Art Museum houses many works of antique art dating from the end of the third century until the 15th century of our era. They mainly represent the art of the Mediterranean, but their origins remain diverse: North Africa, Greece, Byzance, Balkans, Russia, Near East, Egypt, Italy, etc. In particular, visitors will be able to admire the pre-Christian and Christian sarcophagi of Rome, the figurative and ornamental sculptures of the Roman Empire and religious objects and the daily life of the Roman Period of Egypt.
Currency and Medal Firm
The collection of coins and medals, or Münzkabinet , is one of the largest numismatic collections in the world. It counts about 500 000 pieces ! The museum exhibits nearly 4,000 of them, spread over four cabinets that retrace the history of currency and more broadly, man and metal. Visit the Bode Museum plunges you into this evocative universe, from the beginnings of the currency in the seventh century before Jesus Christ to the present day. A must for numismatic enthusiasts – the study of currency and medals.
The Bode Museum also organizes temporary exhibitions, highlighting African works of art, sometimes the work of Rembrandt, sometimes a collection of Renaissance paintings... For temporary exhibitions during your visit to Berlin, visit the official museum website.
How to visit the Bode Museum?
Would you like to visit the Bode Museum in Berlin? Here are the different options of visits that offer to you:
- Free visit to the museum;
- Free visit of the museum with audio guide;
- Guided tour of the museum for groups;
- Guided tours by themes for adults and families;
- Workshops for children.
For several hours : The museum is vast! However, few people venture there and therefore the atmosphere is calm and pleasant.
How to go to the Bode Museum in Berlin?
To visit the Bode Museum in Berlin, you must visit the northern tip of the island at the Museums. For this, you can choose between several means of transport:
Metro
- U6, stop Friedrichstraße ;
- S-Bahn S1, S2, S25, S26, Friedrichstraße ;
- S-Bahn S3, S5, S7, S9, stop Hackescher Markt.
The bus
- TXL, stop Staatsoper ;
- 100, 200, stop Lustgarten ;
- 147, stop Friedrichstraße.
The tram
- M1, 12, stop Am Kupfergraben ;
- M4, M5, M6, stop Hackescher Markt.
The train
The railway station Berlin Friedrichstraße is a 10-minute walk from the museum.
Bode Museum Prices
Photo credit: Shutterstock / De LucVi
HORARI
The Bode Museum schedules in Berlin are as follows:
- Monday : closed
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday : 10 a.m. / 6 p.m.
- Thursday : 10 h / 20 h
- Saturday and Sunday : 11 a.m. / 6 p.m.
♪ holidays , schedules are likely to change: visit the Bode Museum website to schedule your visit.
Note : You can no longer access the museum from 30 minutes before its closure.
RATES
- Adult : 12 €
- Student : 6 €
- Museum Island and all exhibitions : 18€
- Child (0-17) and holders of Tour Berlin : free
- Audio-guide : free
- Guided tour (one hour): 90 €
MATTERS
What languages are available in the museum?
Guided tours are available in German and English, however you can rent an audio guide in French.
Is the museum's visit included in a pass?
You can visit the Bode Museum through different tourist pass:
- 3-days Museum Pass Berlin : 29 € per person, 14,50 € Reduced price ;
- Berlin steps (3 days): 99 € for adults, 74 € for children. Includes the visit of more than 50 monuments of the capital.
What additional services does the museum offer?
The museum includes toilets, dressing room and coffee.
Who are the reduced rates for?
Reduced rates are for students, unemployed and people with a heavy disability (50% or more), subject to supporting documentation. In addition, persons under the age of 18, persons with disabilities and school groups have free access to the museum.
Loading comments ...