Page 506 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

504  GERM AN Y , A USTRIA , AND SWITZERLAND

acropolis of ancient Pergamon
in Asia Minor (closed for
restoration until 2019). Also
impressive is the 2nd-century
market gate from the Roman
city of Miletus.
Major excavations begun
in the 1820s form the basis of
the Museum of Near Eastern
Anti quities (Vorderasiatisches
Museum). One striking exhibit is
the splendid Ishtar Gate, built
during Nebuchadnezzar II’s
reign (604–562 BC) in ancient
Babylon. There are also pieces
from neighboring Persia, Syria,
Mosaic from Hadrian’s Villa (2nd century AD), at the Altes Museum and Palestine, including a basalt
sculpture of a bird from Tel Halaf
7 Altes Museum Hadrian’s Villa near Tivoli, and and a glazed wall relief from
Am Lustgarten. Tel 030-266 3660. Perikles’ Head, a Roman copy of Artaxerxes II’s palace in Susa,
 Hackescher Markt. v M1, M4, M5, the sculpture by Kresilas that capital of the Persian Empire. In
M6. @ 100, 200. Open daily. & stood at the entrance to the 1904, the history of the Museum
Acropolis in Athens. of Islamic Art (Museum für
The Altes Museum, designed by Islamische Kunst)
Karl Friedrich Schinkel, is one of 8 Pergamon- began with a large
the world’s finest Neoclassical collection of
structures, with an impressive museum carpets donated
87-m- (285-ft-) high portico Bodestraße 1–3 (entrance from Am by Wilhelm von
supported by Ionic columns. Kupfergraben). Tel 030-266 3666.  Bode, who also
The stately rotunda is decorated Hackescher Markt, Friedrichstrasse. brought a 45-m
with sculptures and ringed by @ 100, 200, TXL. Open daily. Closed (150-ft) section of
a colonnade. Jan 1, first Tue after Easter and the facade of a
Officially opened in 1830, this Pentecost, Dec 24, 25 & 31. & 7 Jordanian desert
was one of the first purpose-built palace. Another
museums in Europe, designed Built between 1912 and 1930 fascinating exhibit
to house the royal collection of to a design by Alfred Messel is a beautiful
paintings and antiquities. and Ludwig Hoffmann, the 13th-century Persian relief,
Following World War II, the Pergamonmuseum is one of mihrab (Islamic Pergamon-
building was used to display Berlin’s major attractions. Its three prayer niche). museum
temporary exhibitions. Since large independent collections
1998 the Altes Museum has form one of Europe’s most 9 Humboldt-Box
housed a portion of the Antiken- famous archives of antiquities. Humboldt-Box Schloßplatz 5. Tel
sammlung, a magnificent A highlight of the Greek and 01805 -030 707.  Alexanderplatz,
collection of Greek and Roman Roman antiquities collection Hackescher Markt. v M4, M6, M8. @
antiquities. Among the highlights (Antikensammlung) is the huge 100, 200. Open daily.
are a colorful floor mosaic from Pergamon Altar from the
This information center overlooks
Berlin’s largest building site, the
Humboldt-Forum, where the
Berliner Stadtschloss, a palatial
18th-century residence of the
Hohenzollerns that was pulled
down after World War II, is being
reconstructed. It will house the
Dahlem museums (see p510), a
library, and part of Humboldt
University. Highlights of the info
center include a model of early
20th-century Berlin and displays
on the city’s turbulent past.
0 Berliner Dom
Relief carving of Athena from the Pergamon Altar, Pergamonmuseum See pp506–7.
For hotels and restaurants see pp546–8 and pp549–51

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