There’s nothing quite like savoring an ice-cold Berliner Weißbier in a beer garden under its dappled shade of trees, but alas for some of us, visiting (or revisiting) Berlin is presently an impossibility due to obvious reasons.
While we may not be able to visit Berlin as of yet, that shouldn’t stop us from immersing ourselves in the city’s culture. Berlin’s cultural scene is one of the richest and most varied in Germany. With three state-subsidized Operas, five major orchestras, and hundreds of museums, Berlin plays an important role in the international art scene.
This collection of virtual experiences will allow you to reconnect with some of the most iconic landmarks and museums located in and around Berlin. From the magnificent Sanssouci Palace to the reverberating Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Concert Hall, there’s no lack of exciting things to do in the German capital.
Sanssouci Palace
The completion of Sanssouci Palace’s construction is a result of a harmonious synergy of highly capable architects, the refined taste of a monarch (namely, Frederick the Great) and naturally, a significant amount of currency. The eponymous palace, built as a summer retreat in Potsdam, is a jewel in the crown of Germany’s cultural tapestry that is officially recognized by UNESCO.
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Concert Hall
A masterpiece of organic architecture designed by Hans Scharoun in 1963, this honey-colored concert hall is the stronghold of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The hall’s seats are organized in clusters on inclined terraces surrounding the central stage, which allows unobstructed views of the performing artists
You may find performances both live and on-demand right here.
Barberini Museum
Formally opened in the year 2017, the Barberini Museum is a testament to Germany’s perpetual appreciation of history and the arts. The museum displays the classical works of Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Monet and numerous others. Although the Barberini Museum is currently closed, visitors may relive the riveting Monet exhibition digitally and gain insight into the inspiration behind many of his works.
Museum Island
Welcome to Museum Island, where a group of five institutions house six millennia of artistic expression between them. Discover the many artistic and historical treasures of Museum Island by virtually touring these five remarkable museums.
Altes Museum
The Old Museum of Berlin (Altes Museum) is the nucleus of the Museum Island. Being the oldest of the five, it is a highly refined neoclassical era structure constructed between 1822 and 1823. Bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Pantheon of Rome, visitors can expect to observe a collection of Greco-Roman art and sculptures of the highest order. Gods, heroes and rulers await you here, with Zeus standing at the forefront.
Neues Museum
The famed Nefertiti along with her royal entourage may just grant you an audience here at Neues (pronounced ‘new’) Museum. As you soak in the ancient knowledge being offered by The Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung, it begins to dawn on you of just how multifaceted the ancient Egyptian and Nubian cultures truly were, evidenced by their continuities and changes spanning four millennia. You may also peer back in time to the stone age as you visit the second floor, where neanderthals can be observed sharpening their wooden spears.
Alte Nationalgalerie
The Alte Nationalgalerie is a haven for 19th century paintings as it safeguards numerous masterpieces by Friedrich, Renoir, Monet, Rodin and Menzel. Although works such as “Der Mönch am Meer” and “Die Toteninsel” are the crowd-pleasers, many are inexplicably drawn to Menzel’s “Flötenkonzert Friedrich des Großen in Sanssouci.”
Bode Museum
The Bode Museum primarily houses two things, namely a sculpture collection along with a museum of Byzantine art, and the Münzkabinett, which is essentially a large collection of coins. While the aforementioned are the main attraction, a collection of paintings courtesy of Gemäldegalerie is also housed here to promote ‘dialogues’ between the two forms of art. The equestrian bronze statue of Friedrich Wilhelm IV is particularly impressive. See it for yourself!
Pergamon Museum
The youngest of the ensemble is arguably the most impressive. The Pergamon Museum invites you to a journey through Babylon, Greece and the Middle East. All eyes are rightly on the ancient structure of Pergamon Altar, Ishtar Gate Babylonia and Market Gate of Miletus, which have been faithfully reconstructed from actual rubble discovered in Anatolia. A significant portion of Islamic relics and artifacts are also housed here, ones originating from the time of the Ummayad Caliphate as well as relics from the time of the Ottoman.
Feeling inspired to visit Berlin? There’s no harm in planning that trip in advance so you’ll be ready once we can travel again. Click here to learn more about this bucket-list-worthy travel destination.
This article was brought to you by Wego and The German National Tourist Board.
Reader Interactions