Neue Nationalgalerie

In the location's words:

The Neue Nationalgalerie showcases 20th-century visual art from the Nationalgalerie collection, which includes five other locations:the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Friedrichswerder Church,the Berggruen Museum,the Scharf-Gerstenberg Collection, andthe Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum of Contemporary Art – Berlin.

After nearly 50 years of use since its opening in 1968, the Neue Nationalgalerie underwent extensive renovation and modernization between 2015 and 2020.

The Neue Nationalgalerie was the final work of the internationally renowned architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. With the museum’s glass Upper Hall, he culminated his long-standing exploration of fluid, open space. The architect passed away shortly after the building’s inauguration. Thus, with its steel roof and minimalist design language, the Neue Nationalgalerie is regarded not only as an icon of modernism but also as the legacy of a visionary architect of the 20th century.

In terms of urban planning, the museum was originally located on the outskirts of what was then West Berlin. It was built here as a key component ofthe Kulturforumplanned by Hans Scharoun. Following Germany’s reunification and the construction of new buildings at Potsdamer Platz, the Neue Nationalgalerie came to occupy its current dynamic setting in the heart of the city.

The history of the Neue Nationalgalerie is thus closely linked to the division of Germany and the city of Berlin following World War II. The National Gallery’s collection, originally established onBerlin’s Museum Islandand also on display in the 1920s at the Crown Prince’s Palace on the boulevard Unter den Linden, was initially administered by the Greater Berlin Municipal Authority after 1945. With the establishment of two German states with different political systems, the collection’s path diverged beginning in 1949.

While the building of the National Gallery on Museum Island continued to be used in East Berlin, suitable premises were initially lacking in the West. Beginning in the late 1940s, the municipal government in West Berlin advocated for the rebuilding of the collection under the title “Gallery of the 20th Century.” At the same time, parts of the National Gallery’s original collection had remained in West Germany after the end of World War II and were transferred to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, founded in 1957.

As part of the merger of the foundation’s collection with the municipal “Gallery of the 20th Century,” Mies van der Rohe was commissioned in 1962 to design a new museum building to house the 20th-century collection in West Berlin. In September 1965, the architect came to Berlin for the laying of the cornerstone. Two years later, he was also personally present for what was arguably the most spectacular phase of construction: the hydraulic lifting of the gigantic steel roof.

On September 15, 1968, the building opened under the name “Neue Nationalgalerie.” This title alone was intended to signal the idea of a new beginning, which people in the West associated with the museum’s founding. To this day, the building’s architectural structure has hardly changed. The urban context, however, has undergone extreme transformations: Almost simultaneously with the Neue Nationalgalerie, construction of the State Library began on the opposite side of Potsdamer Straße, followed by the Chamber Music Hall next to the existing Philharmonie, additional museums at the Kulturforum, and, after reunification, the redevelopment of Potsdamer Platz.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Neue Nationalgalerie Berlin

1. What does the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin exhibit?     

The Neue Nationalgalerie exhibits 20th-century visual art from the Nationalgalerie’s collection. Past highlights include exhibitions featuring works byIsa GenzkenandJosephine Baker, and a long-term loan from theGerhard RichterArt Foundation (through 2026) is currently a major attraction. Here you’ll find an overview of the current exhibitionsand the 2024 summer program.
In addition to the exhibitions, you can find information here about upcoming events, or check out Rausgegangen Berlin to stay up to date.

2. How big is the Neue Nationalgalerie?

The Neue Nationalgalerie is one of Berlin’s larger museums. You can get a sense of its size online through the virtual tour or the “sequenzierte Elements” feature.

3. How long does it take to explore the Neue Nationalgalerie?

Thanks to the generous opening hours, you can spend an entire day at the Neue Nationalgalerie. 
Time-slot tickets are valid for 15 minutes, during which you’ll be admitted to the museum. After that, you can stay as long as you like within the opening hours.

4. Is there a free admission day at the Neue Nationalgalerie?

Free admission to the Neue Nationalgalerie is available every first Thursday of the month from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as part ofthe Volkswagen Art4All program.

5. How do I get to the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin?

Thanks to its central location on the Spree River and near Potsdamer Platz, the Neue Nationalgalerie is very easy to reach. If you’re traveling by U-Bahn or S-Bahn, Potsdamer Platz is your final stop.