HUMBOLDT FORUM

In the heart of Berlin, on Museum Island, stands the Humboldt Forum, a vast cultural and museum center that opened its doors in 2020 after several years of construction.

This spectacular building, part reconstruction, part reinvention, occupies the site of the former Hohenzollern Palace, residence of the Prussian kings and German emperors. Destroyed during the Second World War, then replaced during the GDR era by the Palace of the Republic, itself demolished in the 2000s, the site has long remained at the heart of heated debate. The decision to rebuild part of the castle's Baroque facade, while integrating contemporary architecture, was aimed at reconnecting with history while affirming the modernity of the German capital.

Inside, one of the flagship institutions is the Berlin Ethnological Museum. Here, visitors can discover major works from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. Among the most emblematic pieces are bronzes from Benin, objects of great artistic value but also symbols of a colonial past that today fuels discussions about restitution. The thematically designed rooms invite critical reflection on how these objects were collected and their role in global cultural exchange.

The Asian Art Museum also occupies an important place in the Humboldt Forum. Its galleries offer a journey through the artistic traditions of India, China, Japan and Central Asia. Buddhist sculptures, silk paintings and refined courtly objects are presented in a contemporary setting.

The sculpture hall is impressive in its monumentality. It houses a collection of statues largely taken from the former Baroque facade of the Hohenzollern castle, rescued before the destruction of the war. These sculptures, restored and placed in a contemporary setting, bear witness to the artistic skills of the period, and provide an insight into the symbolic importance of princely architecture.

Another key feature is the video panorama room, which retraces eight centuries of the history of the site on which the Humboldt Forum is built. Through a collage of old images and films, you'll discover which buildings have occupied this central location in the city's history, and which political symbols have succeeded one another over the centuries.

The permanent exhibition BERLIN GLOBAL occupies a vast space of over 4,000 m². It offers an immersive insight into Berlin's history and identity in relation to the rest of the world. Rather than unfolding a chronological narrative, it highlights seven themes - freedom, borders, pleasure, fashion, war, space and revolt - which explore the complex links between the German capital and the international scene.

Finally, take the time to visit the freely accessible archaeological crypt in the basement. During the reconstruction of the castle, excavations uncovered medieval and Baroque remains: foundation walls, cellars and traces of the former palace chapel.

On the roof, a 360° panoramic terrace offers a unique view of Berlin. Access is by elevator.

The Humboldt Forum has become one of Berlin's major cultural centers, thanks to its architecture, the richness and diversity of its collections and the debates it provokes.