Must-visit museums in Germany
Germany has much to offer visitors. This region is perfect for sightseeing and exploring the bewitching scenery and exquisite architecture, or taste-testing the delectable German cuisine. With the variety of activities to choose from, make sure you set aside time to check out some of Germany’s must-visit museums. This European country has a museum for everyone, whether you enjoy natural history or science, or are looking to learn more about the German culture. Here are seven different but equally exciting and enjoyable museums to fit into your German holiday.
Deutsches Museum, Munich
The Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany is the world’s largest museum of science and technology, with nearly 1.5 million visitors per year. Otherwise referred to as the German Museum, this outstanding institution was established in 1903 and is among the world’s oldest museums of its kind. The German Museum is one of the most important museums of science and technology because of the large number of valuable exhibits, and the collections are definitely not restricted to any specialized range of topics. For A$18, you will be in awe at the variety of exhibitions that display everything from mining and atomic physics to transportation and human anatomy. Be prepared for an exciting, informative and very entertaining trip to the German Museum where you will learn everything science and technology related.
Porsche Museum, Stuttgart
The Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany is a spectacular automobile museum that is next to the Porsche headquarters and presents the history, styles and technology behind this luxury car brand. This fascinating car gallery hosts more than 80 vehicles and several exhibits that display some of the most outstanding technical achievements of Professor Ferdinand Porsche—the founder of the Porsche car company. Spend A$12 to walk through this exceptional museum and experience the fascination of Porsche and the extravagance this brand stands for. Visitors begin touring through the company’s product history, learn how a Porsche is created and about the engineering behind the cars.
In order to fully embody the concept of an automobile museum, Porsche has developed what is known as the ‘Museum on Wheels’ and will be travelling throughout Europe to give people all over the continent a closer glimpse into the history of Porsche. If you cannot make it all the way to Stuttgart, do not worry, just make sure to check the touring schedule and plan a visit to the ‘Museum on Wheels’
Pinakothek Der Moderne, Munich
The Pinakothek Der Moderne is a modern art museum in Munich, Germany. This massive museum unifies the National Collection of Modern and Contemporary Arts, the National Collection of Works on Paper, the National Museum for Design and Applied Arts and the Museum of Architecture all in one building. It is deemed one of the most important and popular museums of modern art in all of Europe. This art gallery displays a range of western culture from the 20th century right up to the present in an incomparable manner by bringing together four major collections under one roof. Do not worry about being overwhelmed by the enormous amount of exhibitions shown at this museum—the building is known for its open and spacious architecture, making it easy for tourists to take their time and view the collections in which they are most interested. For A$16, this museum is the perfect way to explore Europe’s fascinating modern art collections.
Grünes Gewölbe, Dresden
Grünes Gewölbe, otherwise referred to as the Green Vault, is thought of as ‘Europe’s treasure chest’. This very unique historic museum in Dresden, Germany contains the largest collection of riches in Europe, including everything from ancient jewels to antique paintings. This museum was founded in 1723 and was given the name of the ‘Green Vault’ because the original rooms were painted in a characteristic bluish-green colour. More than three million visitors have enjoyed the rich variety of exhibits and have been fascinated by the numerous works of art. The collection is so abundant that the Green Vault has been divided into two permanent exhibition areas. The first is the original Grünes Gewölbe that displays exceptional works of Baroque art, and the second is the Neues Grünes Gewölbe, where around 1000 selected masterpieces and can be viewed up-close. For A$20, it is worth spending the extra time to experience both exhibitions.
Museum Island, Berlin
The Museum Island in Berlin, Germany is considered the world heritage of culture. This island of historic treasures is on the northern tip of Spree Island, and is a collection of five world-renown museums. Since 1999, this museum complex has been an architectural and cultural ensemble where visitors can explore the Pergamonmuseum, the Bode-Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie and the Altes Museum – and you can visit all five for A$30.
The Pergamonmuseum is one of the most visited museums in Berlin and has an incredible collection of beautiful, classical treasures and outstanding reconstructions of archaeological buildings. Experience the Bode-Museum houses to view the extensive collection of sculptures and treasures from the Museum of Byzantine Art. The Neues Museum is monumental because the original structure was built was steam power, which was an engineering sensation during the 1840’s. This museum continues to be historically significant and is also home to a collection of Egyptian artefacts. Visit the Alte Nationalgalerie for a glimpse at the massive stairway that makes the building comparable to an ancient temple. This was the first renovated museum on the island and features works of Classicism, Romanticism, Impressionism and early Modernism. Finally, head to the Altes Museum and take in the renovated rotunda, dome and portico that were originally built in 1830. This museum houses a collection of classical antiquities and gold treasures, and presents Greek and Roman art and sculptures.
Spielzeugmuseum Museum, Nerumberg
For more than 600 years, Nuremberg has been known as the city of toys. This German city has been known for their traditional doll-making since the middle ages as well as the incredible tin toys produced here during the industrial era. Located in the heart of the Old Town, visitors will find the Spielzeugmuseum Museum, or Nuremberg’s Toy Museum. This gallery is historically and culturally significant to the city and hosts a variety of exhibits on everything from dolls, tin figures, traditional wooden toys and large model railway tracks to the toys of today like Barbie and Lego. The exhibits are comprehensive, detailed and of exceptionally high-quality. Since opening in 1971, the museum has attracted more than four million visitors from all over the world. For only A$8, the Toy Museum of Nuremberg is a delight for adults and children alike.
Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt
The Senckenberg Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in Germany, with its exhibits on the biodiversity of life and the evolution of organisms. This museum displays new scientific findings in all areas of biology, paleontology and geology and is constantly adding more and more to their collections. A visit here is definitely worthwhile if you are travelling as a family, as this museum is particularly popular with children who enjoy the extensive collection of dinosaur fossils. In fact, this museum has the largest exhibition of large dinosaurs in all of Europe, and there is even a fossil with preserved, scaled skin from one dinosaur. Like many natural history museums, the Senckenberg Museum is very informative and a great learning experience, but unlike others, this German museum has some of the most extensive and detailed exhibits that can easily be taken as reality. You and your entire family will enjoy the hands-on and educational displays of this natural history museum for $A15.
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Image courtesy of Flickr user Abir Anwar; cropped from original.