One of Germany’s most popular museums will be completely closed for about four years due to major renovations. This was announced by the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and the Federal Office for Building and Spatial Planning. Due to the split into two phases, it was originally planned that certain parts of the museum would remain accessible during the works. Now those plans have been changed. The entire Pergamon Museum will not open until 2037.
Section A, closed since 2013 and including the north wing and the famous Pergamon Altar in the central wing, should be open to visitors again in 2027. The altar, dating from the 2nd century BC. J.-C., belonged to the residence of the powerful kings of Pergame, who created a cultural metropolis in the west of modern Turkey, modeled on Athens. The second section B closes on October 23 this year.
The complex is “likely to be damaged”, explains Barbara Grosse-Rode of the Federal Office. During the works, the main efforts will be directed towards the repair of structural damage caused by humidity and obsolete technical systems. During the renovation, the fixed part of the works of art, which weighs tons, will be equipped with sensitive sensors and protected from vibrations and humidity. Built between 1910 and 1930, the building is the dominant part of the Museum Island, located in the heart of the capital. The ensemble, made up of five historic buildings, has been classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1999 due to its particular importance.
The cost of the project related to the redesign is appropriate. The first tranche cost 489 million euros. For the second tranche, the calculation was 722.4 million euros. Risks and price increases – additional 295.6 million euros. This means that the total costs could reach 1.5 billion euros. Complex works are planned until 2037.
