Alte Nationalgalerie

Elevated on a pedestal like a great ancient temple, this mesmerising building is home to the Alte Nationalgalerie, meaning the Old National Gallery.
Behind its rows of Greek columns lies an important collection of 19th-century paintings and sculptures of German and European heritage. If you’re curious enough to go explore, you’ll find world-renowned pieces such as “The Thinker” by Auguste Rodin, artworks of German Classicism and Romanticism, including the painted landscapes of Caspar David Friedrich, Realism artworks by Adolph von Menzel, and French Impressionism paintings by Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Paul Gauguin. Amongst them is another stand out piece: “Isle of the Dead” by Arnold Böcklin, which is considered to be the most representative work of the Symbolist movement. Now, Symbolism may be less familiar to you than Romanticism or Impressionism, so here’s a quick detour into art history. Emerging in the late 19th century in Europe, Symbolism sought to go beyond surface appearances with the aim to reveal hidden truths, explore emotions, the subconscious, imagination, dreams, and spiritual states. This movement opened doors for Surrealism, which continued to push the boundaries of human experience and perception. There, that’s all for today’s little art history lesson ! Now, head toward the grand building closing off the public square on your left.