Pergamon Museum, Pergamon Museum, Berlin Berlin Pergamon Museum Pergamon Museum Pergamon Altar Pergamon Altar Aleppo room Aleppo room Ishtar Gate Ishtar Gate The The Pergamon Museum Pergamon Museum is is situated on the Museum situated on the Museum Island in Berlin and was Island in Berlin and was constructed in twenty constructed in twenty years, from 1910 to 1930. years, from 1910 to 1930. The Pergamon houses The Pergamon houses original-sized, original-sized, reconstructed monumental reconstructed monumental buildings such as the buildings such as the Pergamon Altar, Pergamon Altar, the Market Gate of Miletus, all the Market Gate of Miletus, all consisting of parts transported consisting of parts transported from Turkey. There is controversy over the legitimacy of the from Turkey. There is controversy over the legitimacy of the acquisition of the collection. It was suggested that the acquisition of the collection. It was suggested that the collection should be returned to Turkey (original country of collection should be returned to Turkey (original country of the excavations). the excavations). The museum is subdivided into the antiquity collection, the The museum is subdivided into the antiquity collection, the Middle East museum, and the museum of Islamic art. The museum Middle East museum, and the museum of Islamic art. The museum is visited by approximately 850,000 people every year, making is visited by approximately 850,000 people every year, making it the most visited art museum in Germany. The Pergamon Museum it the most visited art museum in Germany. The Pergamon Museum was severely damaged during the air attack of Berlin at the end was severely damaged during the air attack of Berlin at the end of the Second World War. Many of the display objects were of the Second World War. Many of the display objects were stored in safe places, and some of the large pieces were walled stored in safe places, and some of the large pieces were walled in for protection. In 1945, the Red Army collected all of the in for protection. In 1945, the Red Army collected all of the loose loose museum items, either as war booty or, ostensibly, to museum items, either as war booty or, ostensibly, to rescue them from looting and fires then raging in rescue them from looting and fires then raging in Berlin. Not until 1958 were most of the objects Berlin. Not until 1958 were most of the objects returned to East Germany. returned to East Germany. Significant parts of the collection Significant parts of the collection remain in Russia. Some are currently remain in Russia. Some are currently stored in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow stored in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg. and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg. The return of these items has been The return of these items has been arranged in a treaty between Germany arranged in a treaty between Germany and Russia but, as of June 2003, is and Russia but, as of June 2003, is © © Miki Pitish Miki Pitish