Abguss-Sammlung Antiker Plastik

About the museum

The roots of the Berlin cast collection go back to 1696, making it one of the oldest collections of its kind. In the 19th century the plaster casts found their place in the New Museum on Museum Island.

Between 1921 and 1944 the collection belonged to the Friedrich Wilhelm University and then comprised about 2,500 casts. The Second World War caused severe damage; by 1950/51 the old holdings were largely destroyed.

A new beginning came in 1988: opposite Charlottenburg Palace, next to the then Egyptian Museum, the collection reopened. The rebuilding was possible only through the cooperation of the Institute of Classical Archaeology of the Free University, the Staatliche Museen of the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz, and the Senate administration. Today the holdings comprise around 2,100 casts of Greek and Roman sculptures, spanning from the Cycladic culture of the 3rd millennium BC to Byzantine times around 500 AD.

The collection is looked after by the Institute of Classical Archaeology and serves teaching as well as the general public: there are guided tours, events, and the opportunity to draw in front of the casts.

Highlights

• Around 2,100 casts of Greek and Roman sculpture
• Overview from Cycladic culture to Byzantine times
• Free admission
• Drawing in front of the casts with pencils and colored pencils permitted
• Exhibition rooms and courtyard available to rent for events

Permanent exhibition

• Gipsabgüsse antiker Plastik – Casts of Greek and Roman sculptures from the 3rd millennium BC to Byzantine times.

Founded

1696

Operated by

Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Klassische Archäologie

Director

Prof. Dr. Lorenz Winkler-Horaček

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Guided tours cost €5 per person (minimum fee €40); group guided tours during opening hours cost €60 for up to about 20 people.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The collection is wheelchair-accessible via the elevator of the neighboring building; this requires prior registration so that the elevator access can be unlocked.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is located directly opposite the Scharf-Gerstenberg Collection. By car via the A100 (Spandauer Damm or Kaiserdamm exit) or via the B2/B5.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Larger backpacks and bags are hung up in the cloakroom. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the collection.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Up to 80 guests.

Exhibition rooms and courtyard for parties, receptions, readings, lectures, concerts, theater, filming and photo shoots, for private individuals and organizations. Catering only as seated meals or standing receptions; no red wine in the exhibition area; smoking prohibited; supervised by collection staff on site.

Plan your visit