Museum Island sits in the middle of Berlin where the River Spree splits in two. Five world-class museums stand here, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The first museum opened in 1830. Friedrich Schinkel designed the Altes Museum with 18 grand columns. Over the next hundred years, four more museums were added: the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode Museum, and the Pergamon Museum.

The Pergamon Museum holds ancient wonders. Inside you'll find the massive Pergamon Altar from Greece and the brilliant blue Ishtar Gate from Babylon. The Neues Museum houses the famous bust of Egyptian queen Nefertiti.
World War Two nearly destroyed the Neues Museum. For 50 years it sat as a ruin. Trees grew through the galleries. The river flooded the basement.

After German reunification, architect David Chipperfield spent eleven years rebuilding it. He deliberately preserved the scars. Original walls stand next to damaged sections and modern additions. Walking through feels like reading a history book written in stone. Chipperfield also designed the James-Simon Gallery, a modern entrance building that connects all five museums. Now visitors can explore them all with one ticket.

VoiceMap's audio tours explain what makes each museum special and reveal the stories behind their greatest treasures.