BERLIN TRAVEL GUIDE

Berlin Travel Guide
Kulturforum
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.
For more on Berlin museums (see Museums)
Top 10 Sights
1 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.
2
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) (see Art Galleries) .
3 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.
4 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 (see Museums) .
5 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 (see Museums) , as well
as a 1929 Wurlitzer.
6 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.
7 Kupferstichkabinett
The Gallery of Copper Engravings holds more than
520,000 prints and 80,000 drawings from all periods and
countries, including this portrait of Dürer’s mother (see
Art Galleries) .
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8
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.
9 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.
10 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.
Gemäldegalerie
1
Portrait of Hieronymus Holzschuher
Albrecht Dürer painted this portrait of the mayor of
Nuremburg in 1529.
2
Portrait of the Merchant Georg Gisze
This painting by Hans Holbein (1532), showing the
merchant counting his money, reflects the rise of the
wealthy citizen during the Renaissance.
3
Madonna with Child and Singing Angels
A 1477 painting by Sandro Botticelli depicts the
Madonna and Child, surrounded by angels carrying lilies.
4
The Birth of Christ
Martin Schongauer’s altar painting (c.1480) is one
of only a few religious paintings by the artist that have
been preserved.
5
Victorious Eros
Caravaggio’s painting (1602), after Vergil’s model,
shows Eros, the god of love, trampling underfoot the
symbols of culture, glory, science and power.
6
Portrait of Hendrickje Stoffels
In a 1656–7 portrait of his lover Hendrickje Stoffels,
Rembrandt’s focus is entirely on the subject.
7
The French Comedy
This painting by Antoine Watteau belonged to
Frederick the Great’s collection.
7
Highlights