Exhibitions Worth the Trip: In the Light of Amarna

Before planning a trip to the pyramids, lovers of ancient Egypt should instead consider a trip to Berlin. This spring, the city's beloved Egyptian, Nefertiti, is having a special celebration. Until April 13, 2013, the Neues Museum is honoring the 100 years since her discovery in Amarna with a special exhibit, In the Light of Amarna. 100 Years of the Nefertiti Discovery.

Queen Nefertiti's bust, a popular attraction in its own right is shown within its historical context, with many of 1,300 objects being displayed for the first time. These include sculptural fragments, jewelry, pots and vessels, along with religious objects. And in addition to appreciate the beauty of the works, one can also gain a better understanding of the civilization from which the sculpture was born. Not only is Amarna brought into focus, but the object as well, shown alongside other similar works from the period, including the bust of her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten, recently restored. Lastly, the exhibit addresses the circumstances that brought Nefertiti and her companions to Berlin in the first place, the 1911-1914 excavations led by German, Ludwig Borchardt.

The Neues Museum, opened in 2009, brings together the collections of the The Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection, the Museum of Prehistory and Early History and various artifacts from the Collection of Classical Antiquities under one roof. If antiquities are your passion, this is the place to visit.

Pergamon Museum The reconstructed Pergamon alter from Greece as well as the Ishtar Gate from Babylon are two highlights of this varied collection of antiquities from across the globe.
Altes Museum Visit for classical antiquites of Greek, Roman and Etruscan origin.
Bode-Museum Home of the Numismatic Collection of over 500,000 coins from around the globe
Ethnological Museum This space houses art and artifacts that span the globe.