Alte Nationalgalerie, Art museum on Museum Island, Berlin, Germany.
The Alte Nationalgalerie is an art museum on Museum Island in Berlin, presenting paintings and sculptures from the 19th century inside a neoclassical building. Its three exhibition floors house works ranging from the French Revolution to the First World War, including German Romantic and French Impressionist pieces.
The gallery opened its doors in 1876 after banker Joachim Heinrich Wilhelm Wagener donated his collection, following a design by Friedrich August Stüler. Construction began only after the architect's death and was completed by his student Heinrich Strack.
The building was conceived as a temple dedicated to art, echoing the ancient Greek style to elevate the status of modern painting and sculpture. Visitors today encounter works by Caspar David Friedrich and Adolph Menzel, artists who shaped the visual memory of their era.
The gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening, with admission at 14 euros for adults and free for visitors under 18. The exhibition rooms span several floors, so plan enough time for a thorough visit.
A grand staircase leads up to the entrance, crowned by an equestrian statue of Frederick William IV and a portico featuring the figure of Germania as protector of the arts. This monumental arrangement was designed to emphasize the building's status as a temple of art.
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