Märkisches Museum
Flagship of the Berlin Museum, in Ludwig Hoffmann's brick building, devoted to Berlin's city history; closed for renovation, expected until 2029.
About the museum
The museum was founded on October 9, 1874, on the initiative of city councilor Ernst Friedel as the Märkisches Provinzial-Museum, making it Berlin's first museum supported by citizens and independent of the royal house. The collection was initially housed in various locations, including the Palais Podewils.
Between 1899 and 1908, city architect Ludwig Hoffmann erected a dedicated building on the Köllnischer Park, considered one of the first buildings designed specifically for a city museum. The picturesque brick complex quotes architectural forms from the Mark Brandenburg region – the tower, for instance, is modeled on the bishop's castle in Wittstock – and in front of the building stands a copy of the Brandenburg Roland statue of 1474.
Damaged in World War II, the museum reopened early and in East German times served as the museum of East Berlin's city history. After 1990, Hoffmann's original sequence of rooms was gradually restored. Since 1995 it has belonged to the Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin, which today operates under the name Berlin Museum.
The Märkisches Museum has been closed since early 2023 for a comprehensive renovation and modernization. Together with the neighboring Marinehaus, a new cultural venue in Mitte is being created under the working title Museums- und Kreativquartier (Museum and Creative Quarter); the reopening as a contemporary city museum has been announced for 2029.
Highlights
- Brick building by Ludwig Hoffmann (1899–1908) with architectural quotations from the Mark Brandenburg
- Copy of the Brandenburg Roland in front of the museum
- Flagship of the Berlin Museum's city history collection
- Future Museum and Creative Quarter together with the Marinehaus
- Founded
- 1874
- Operated by
- Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin (Berlin Museum)
- Director
- Sophie Plagemann (Künstlerische Direktorin der Stiftung)
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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