KULTURFORUM
The Kulturforum is a unique complex of museums, concert halls, and libraries west of Potsdamer Platz. Here, some of the most outstanding European art museums, as well as the famous concert hall of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, attract millions of visitors interested in culture and music. The complex, based in the former West Berlin, has been growing steadily since 1956 as a counterpoint to the Museumsinsel in the former East Berlin. The Kulturforum also contains some of Berlin’s best examples of modern architecture.
Map of the Kulturforum
NEED TO KNOW
West of Potsdamer Platz • (030) 266 424 242 • www.smb.museum
Gemäldegalerie: Matthäikirchplatz 4/6; open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun (until 8pm Thu)
Philharmonie: Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1; (030) 25 48 80; Box Office: open 3–6pm Mon–Fri, 11am–2pm Sat & Sun; www.berliner-philharmoniker.de
Kupferstichkabinett: Matthäikirchplatz 8; open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun
Kunstbibliothek: Matthäikirchplatz 6; open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun
St. Matthäuskirche: Matthäikirchplatz 1; (030) 262 12 02; open 11am–6pm Tue–Sun; organ concert 12:30pm; adm for concerts; www.stiftung-stmatthaeus.de
Neue Nationalgalerie: www.smb.museum
A day pass for all museums is $18
- The Kulturforum restaurant and café is a convenient spot for coffee.
1. Gemäldegalerie
Berlin’s largest art museum holds masterpieces of European art. They are displayed in the modern Neubau, built in 1998 by Heinz Hilmer and Christoph Sattler. The collection includes Bosch, Holbein, Dürer, Gossaert, Vermeer, Brueghel the Elder, Titian, Caravaggio, and Rembrandt.
Gemäldegalerie
2. Neue Nationalgalerie
Based in a building by Mies van der Rohe (Potsdamer Straße 50), this holds 20th-century art, with an emphasis on German Expressionism. Highlights are on show elsewhere during the renovation.
Neue Nationalgalerie
3. Philharmonie
This tentlike building was the first new structure (Herbert-von-Karajan-Str 1) to be built in the Kulturforum in 1960–3. Considered one of the best concert halls in the world, it is the home of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Kirill Petrenko will conduct in 2019.
Philharmonie
4. Kunstgewerbemuseum
Craft objects from across Europe from the Middle Ages to the present day are on show at this museum (Matthäikirchplatz), including valuable items like the Guelphs’ treasure, Lüneburg’s silver, and Renaissance faïence.
craft objects on display at Kunstgewerbemuseum
5. Musikinstrumentenmuseum
Concealed behind the Philharmonie is this fascinating little museum of musical instruments. More than 800 exhibits are on show here, particularly early instruments such as harpsichords and a 1929 Wurlitzer.
harpsichord on display at Musikinstrumentenmuseum
6. Kammermusiksaal
The smaller relative of the larger Philharmonie, this concert hall is one of Germany’s most highly regarded chamber music venues.
7. Kupferstichkabinett
The Gallery of Prints and Drawings holds more than 550,000 prints and 110,000 drawings from all periods and countries, including a portrait of Dürer’s mother.
8. St. Matthäuskirche
This church is the only historical building preserved in the Kulturforum. Built in 1844–6 by Stüler, it is also a venue for art installations and classical music concerts.
St. Matthäuskirche
9. Staatsbibliothek
Built in 1978 by Hans Scharoun, the National Library (Potsdamer Straße 33) is one of the world’s largest German-language libraries, with five million books and journals.
10. Kunstbibliothek
The Art Library has a collection of advertising and art posters, among other items, and also hosts art and architecture exhibitions and design shows.
