Caspar David Friedrich
The foremost painter of German Romanticism; the works here are among his most important — silent, vast landscapes.
Manfred Brückels — Public domain · Edmund F. Arras — Public domain · Karl Friedrich Schinkel — Public domain · Rijksmuseum — CC0
The Alte Nationalgalerie is a temple-like building on Berlin's Museum Island holding nineteenth-century art: German Romanticism, Realism and French Impressionism. It was built between 1866 and 1876, and visitors climb a broad stair to a columned front. Its best-known holdings are the paintings of Caspar David Friedrich — above all the monk before the sea and the tree in snow, among the central works of German Romanticism. There are also works by Manet, Monet, Renoir and Cézanne, and the famous sculpture of the two princesses. The museum belongs to the Museum Island group, and a combined ticket covering all of them is available.
The foremost painter of German Romanticism; the works here are among his most important — silent, vast landscapes.
Works by Manet, Monet, Renoir and Cézanne in the upper galleries.
A columned front and broad stair like a Greek temple on a high base — among the handsomest on the island.
Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin
Neues MuseumThe Neues Museum on Museum Island is home to the most famous face in history: th1 minute walk4.4
James-Simon-ParkJames-Simon-Park is a small stretch of grass on the bank of the Spree, right bes2 minutes walk4.6
Altes MuseumThe Altes Museum is the oldest on Museum Island, designed by Karl Friedrich Schi2 minutes walk4.5
Museum IslandMuseum Island is a small island in the river Spree in central Berlin carrying fi3 minutes walk4.9
Berlin CathedralBerlin Cathedral is the largest church in the city, standing on Museum Island un3 minutes walk4.5It depends on your interest: this one for nineteenth-century European art, the Pergamon for ancient Near Eastern antiquities (parts of which may be closed for renovation), the Neues Museum for ancient Egypt and the bust of Nefertiti, and the Altes Museum for Greek and Roman antiquities. With only one day, pick two at most.
An hour and a half to two hours covers the permanent collection across three floors. If Friedrich in particular interests you, you may spend longer in his rooms alone.
Yes — labels are in German and English, and an audio guide is available. There is nothing in Arabic. Paintings are understood by looking more than by reading, so language matters less here than in history museums.