Greek vases, Etruscan gold jewelry, bronzes and ancient glassware in a temple building on Königsplatz, opposite the Glyptothek in Munich.
July 8, 2026 – January 17, 2027
Commemorates the purchase by Ludwig I, 200 years ago, of the collection of the Countess Lipona (Caroline Murat). It introduces both collectors and shows the collection almost in full for the first time.
The holdings trace back to the art chamber of Duke Albrecht V in the 16th century. However, the collection owes its actual significance to King Ludwig I, who as crown prince deliberately acquired high-quality antiquities in Italy – including vases from excavations in the Etruscan Vulci, pieces from the estate of Lucien Bonaparte and gold jewelry from Caroline Murat's collection.
While sculptures went to the Glyptothek, the rest of the collection was long distributed across multiple locations: the painted vases were shown in the Old Pinakothek, bronzes, jewelry and small finds from 1872 as the Royal Antiquarium in the New Pinakothek. Only during World War I were the holdings brought together as Museum of Ancient Minor Arts. In World War II, parts, particularly Etruscan ceramics, were lost when the New Pinakothek was bombed.
The present building was erected by Georg Friedrich Ziebland from 1838 to 1848 following the example of a Corinthian temple as an art exhibition building on the south side of Königsplatz. After war damage it was redesigned internally and opened in 1967 as Staatliche Antikensammlungen.
In the 20th and 21st centuries the collection grew through donations and bequests, such as Paul Arndt's terracottas, James Loebs bronzes and jewelry pieces, Hans von Schoen's collection, approximately 700 gems from the Helmut Hansmann Foundation, and most recently Roman Terra Sigillata and Greek vases from Munich private collections. The exhibition ranges from Cycladic culture to late antiquity.
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Students, persons from 65 years, disabled and additional groups according to General Tariff Regulations of State Museums in Bavaria |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and youth under 18 free admission. |
| Seniors | €4Discount from 65 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4Severely disabled pay the reduced price. |
| Students & apprentices | €4 |
| Groups (20+ people) | €4 per personFrom 20 people EUR 4 per person (applies to both houses on Königsplatz); registration requested. Private special tour up to 60 minutes EUR 100 plus admission. |
| Families | –No separate family ticket; under 18 admission free. |
| Sunday admission (per house) | €1 |
| Annual card | €20Reduced EUR 15 |
One day ticket valid for State Antique Collections and Glyptothek. Online tickets via Munich Ticket with different prices and possible fees.
The building is not barrier-free: main entrance has a front staircase, exhibition distributed over three levels, toilets not barrier-free. Light portable folding chairs available. The opposite Glyptothek is accessible barrier-free.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
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Children's days, holiday activities, workshops and discovery tours with discovery sheets in cooperation with MPZ and Munich Adult Education Center. Birthday parties on topics such as gods, Heracles or sports in antiquity (depending on topic 6–12 years, 120 min., max. 12 children) via MPZ.
Königsplatz
U2 to Königsplatz; tram 27 to Karolinenplatz; museum line bus 100 to Königsplatz. Not far from main station.
No on-site parking at the museum.
No museum parking; paid parking in adjacent streets.
The museum café is in the courtyard of the opposite Glyptothek.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE, EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free Mediaguide app (German/English) with three tours, including highlights (approx. 60 min.) and vase art (approx. 70 min.). Evening tour Wednesday at 18:00. Private special tours and school programs (through Museum Education Center) by arrangement. |
