Bode Museum

The Bode Museum sits at the northwestern tip of Museum Island, where the Spree splits in two, and it has been one of the most recognizable parts of the ensemble since it opened in 1904. The neo-Baroque building was designed by the court architect Ernst von Ihne, and its dome above the entrance, about 130 feet (39.5 meters) high, greets visitors from across the water. Originally called the Kaiser Friedrich Museum, it has carried the name of the art historian Wilhelm von Bode, who shaped its collecting concept, since 1956. Like all of Museum Island it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Inside, three major collections share the building. The sculpture collection spans the early Middle Ages to the 18th century and includes European masterworks by the likes of Tilman Riemenschneider and Donatello. The Museum of Byzantine Art presents works from the 3rd to the 15th century, and the coin cabinet, with more than half a million objects, ranks among the largest numismatic collections in the world. The lavishly staged halls with their stucco, marble and domed spaces are half the experience.

Give yourself time for the architecture. The great domed hall with its equestrian statue of the Great Elector and the quieter, often less crowded galleries make this a calm counterpoint to the bustle around Berlin Cathedral. Practical note: the museum is an easy walk across the Monbijou Bridge and slots naturally into a stroll along the length of Museum Island. Check current admission prices and hours on the official Staatliche Museen zu Berlin site before you go.