David Chipperfield's entrance building for Berlin's Museum Island, with special exhibitions, an auditorium, café, shop, and access to the Neues Museum.
October 21, 2026 – April 18, 2027
Major exhibition by the Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte (Museum of Prehistory and Early History) on the Mongol Empire, with archaeological finds from Mongolia and Europe, many of them shown outside Mongolia for the first time.
The James-Simon-Galerie was created as part of the Museum Island Master Plan as the central entrance and visitor center for the UNESCO World Heritage Site. British architect David Chipperfield won the competition in 1999, initially with a glass cube; after criticism and funding delays, he fundamentally revised the design in 2007 and integrated the new building into a modern interpretation of the historic colonnades.
Building the foundations on the Kupfergraben was complex because of the difficult subsoil and required some 1,200 piles; the foundation stone was laid in October 2013. After about ten years of construction and costs of around 134 million euros, the building opened on July 12, 2019. Among other awards, it received the DAM Preis for architecture in Germany in 2020.
The building is named after James Simon (1851–1932), a Berlin entrepreneur and one of the most important patrons of the Royal Museums, who donated, among other things, the bust of Nefertiti. On some 4,600 square meters of usable space, it brings together ticket desks, cloakrooms, a shop, café and restaurant, an auditorium with about 300 seats, and rooms for special exhibitions.
The James-Simon-Galerie is the group entrance to the Neues Museum, which can be reached via the underground Archaeological Promenade, and will in future once again provide access to the Pergamonmuseum. On the lower level, the Staatliche Museen (National Museums in Berlin) show changing large-scale special exhibitions from various collections.
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7School students, apprentices, university students, people in voluntary service, job seekers receiving unemployment benefit (ALG I), and people with severe disabilities with a degree of disability (GdB) of 50 or more (proof required in each case) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and young people free until their 18th birthday. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €7companion free · Reduced with a degree of disability (GdB) of 50 or more; a necessary companion noted on the severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis) is admitted free. |
| Students & apprentices | €7 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more must register in advance via the online ticket shop or the info service; group entrance in the lower foyer. |
| Families | –No family ticket; children and young people under 18 free. |
| Combination ticket Neues Museum + Genghis Khan | €18reduced €9 |
| Museum Island ticket (area ticket, one day) | €24reduced €12; according to the exhibition page, also valid for the Genghis Khan exhibition |
| Annual pass (listed on the exhibition page) | €118reduced €50 |
The foyer, shop, and café can be visited without a ticket. Prices apply to the special exhibition "Dschingis Khan und die Welt der Mongolen" (October 21, 2026 – April 18, 2027); they may differ for other exhibitions. Tickets online or at the ticket desk in the James-Simon-Galerie, which also sells tickets for the other museums on Museum Island.
According to the SMB, fully wheelchair-accessible; step-free access to the Neues Museum as well via the Archaeological Promenade. Loan wheelchairs at many SMB museums – check availability in advance with the info service (030 266424242, Mon–Fri 9:00–16:00). Only trained assistance dogs allowed. Information in Easy Language and German Sign Language (DGS) on the SMB website.
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
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Entrance and service building for Museum Island; the family program of the Staatliche Museen includes anniversary tours of Museum Island starting here, which are also aimed at families. According to the house rules of the Staatliche Museen, certain strollers may have to be exchanged for strollers provided by the museum; children may not be carried in back carriers or on shoulders.
Museumsinsel
U5 Museumsinsel; S-Bahn Friedrichstraße or Hackescher Markt; tram to Am Kupfergraben or Hackescher Markt; bus to U Museumsinsel.
No on-site parking at the museum.
The Staatliche Museen do not mention any parking and recommend arriving by public transport or bicycle.
Café & Restaurant Cu29 and museum shop/bookstore on site. Central cloakrooms and lockers for Museum Island; bags larger than 30 × 20 × 10 cm must be checked, and luggage is not accepted. Free Wi-Fi.
Up to 300 guests.
Rentals outside opening hours through Museum&Location, the event company of the Staatliche Museen (kontakt@museum-location.de). Foyer on the 1st floor (approx. 350 m² including the gallery) for standing receptions of up to 300 or theater-style seating for up to 200 people; also an auditorium with about 300 seats.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Central ticket sales and group entrance for Museum Island. The Pergamonmuseum is closed until its partial reopening on June 4, 2027; after that, access will once again be via the James-Simon-Galerie. No special exhibition has been announced before October 21, 2026. |
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