The Bode Museum is also found on the Island of Museums. Dating from 1904, it was designed by the architect Ernst Eberhard von Ihne. In October of 2006 it reopened to the public after six years of renovation work.

This neo-baroque building was initially called the Kaiser-Friedrich Museum, in honour of Emperor Frederick III. Years later though it was given the present name, paying homage to the person responsible for its very existence, Wilhelm von Bode. 

In the museum’s entrance you will find a copy of an equestrian statue of Frederick William. Beneath the cupola you will also see golden busts of many other Prussian governors, set amidst a splendid and perfectly decorated interior. 

The museum’s collection is distributed between three floors. The main and most spectacular one is that of sculptures. Among its impressive works is ´The Madonna of Father Martin`, as well as relieves by Ignaz Gunter, which should not be missed. 

The building’s collections require an attentive and lengthy visit, especially those within the Museum of Byzantine Art, which displays the last works from the Byzantine Empire, as well as the Ancient World. Standing out most among the pieces on view are the mosaics. There is one that deserves special attention for being one of the only three of its type in the whole world: it is a representation of the crucifixion of Christ, flanked on each side by the Virgin and John, the apostle.

However, as well as sculptures and mosaics, the Bode-Museum also contains The Library of Coins, a collection of more than half a million coins and medallions from all eras. This is one of the most important in the whole world, and among many coins on display, you can see examples from the Ancient World, Asia and Byzantium. 

As you will no doubt have guessed, this is a magnificent and fascinating museum known for the quality of its collections. You really should take the time to come here.