Venerable Altes Museum in Berlin, the city's initial and most longstanding cultural institution, commemorates its bicentennial anniversary

The Altes Museum, originally known as the Royal Museum, is currently celebrating its 200th year anniversary with a special exhibition titled "Founded on Antiquity: Berlin's First Museum." Located at the end of the Roman and Etruscan galleries, this small yet captivating display offers visitors a unique insight into the museum's storied past.

Designed by architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the Altes Museum was a choreographed set-piece of power, military might, divine authority, and culture. Positioned opposite the royal palace, beside the military arsenal and cathedral, it was less a gift to the people than a colonnaded vault of imperial ambition.

The exhibition's centerpiece is a large white architectural model of the museum's foundations, providing a fascinating glimpse into the architectural vision of the time. Visitors can also interact with a fun post-it note board, sharing their thoughts and feedback about the exhibition. Some of the notes left read, "Mehr Schlongs" and "It's nice to see history. It's so big!".

The Altes Museum's first acquisition was an ancient replica of a Greek sculpture named Hermes Richelieu from the 1st century BCE. Interestingly, Hermes Richelieu has replacement limbs that were repaired in 18th-century Rome but have since been removed and lie unused.

The museum was founded to compete with other European states' temples of arts. However, the museum founders did not seem to consider amenities such as allowing children or providing toilets. These aspects were not addressed until much later.

The original ideals of the Altes Museum as a place of Humboldtian education gave way in the late 19th century to it becoming a repository for ancient masterpieces. This shift is highlighted in the exhibition, which includes pull-aside circles with questions about the museum's early amenities, such as whether it had toilets or allowed children.

The exhibition runs through May 3, 2026, offering visitors a rare opportunity to delve into the history of one of Berlin's most iconic institutions. However, budget constraints are apparent in the exhibition, as it lacks significant interactive elements.

Beyond the exhibition, the Altes Museum continues to grapple with ethical issues surrounding the human remains locked away in its collections. These remains, primarily consisting of around 17,000 colonial-era remains, symbolize a lost connection to the history and identity of their original communities and remain a subject of ethical controversy and calls for restitution.

As the Altes Museum continues to evolve and adapt, "Founded on Antiquity: Berlin's First Museum" serves as a poignant reminder of its storied past and the ongoing dialogue surrounding its role in shaping Berlin's cultural landscape.

Venerable Altes Museum in Berlin, the city's initial and most longstanding cultural institution, commemorates its bicentennial anniversary