The entrance building and visitor centre on Museum Island is named after James Simon (1851-1932), one of the most important figures of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. The building is part of the 1999 Museum Island Master Plan to preserve the UNESCO World Heritage Site and transform it into a contemporary museum complex.
The visitor centre houses a ticket and museum shop, a café, an auditorium and a space for special exhibitions. The building also serves as an entrance to the Pergamonmuseum and, via the underground Archaeological Promenade, as a second entrance to the Neues Museum. Once the master plan is completed, the promenade will extend from the Altes Museum to the Bode Museum. Café and restaurant of the James-Simon-Galerie with outdoor terrace on Kupfergraben will also be accessible outside opening hours.
The design for the building was created by David Chipperfield Architects and demonstrates an intensive engagement with the world heritage site Museum Island and great respect for the historic location. The defining architectural element is the motif of the colonnades, translated into a modern form.
In continuation of the Stüler’schen Kolonnaden, a smaller colonnaded courtyard has been created between the James-Simon-Galerie and the Neues Museum, the so-called Neue Hof. The colonnade motif is also present in the west view from Kupfergraben. A high plinth continues the architecture of the neighbouring Pergamonmuseum. Thanks to transparent, filigree rows of rods and glass, the structure above allows a variety of views in and out.
- Monday closed
- Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 - 18:00
Please refer to the information bundled on this page to plan your visit.
- 18. April 2025 10:00 - 18:00
- 20. April 2025 10:00 - 18:00
- 21. April 2025 10:00 - 18:00
- 29. May 2025 10:00 - 18:00
- 8. June 2025 10:00 - 18:00
- 9. June 2025 10:00 - 18:00
- 1. January 12:00 - 18:00
- 8. March 10:00 - 18:00
- 1. May 10:00 - 18:00
- 3. October 10:00 - 18:00
- 24. December closed
- 25. December 10:00 - 18:00
- 26. December 10:00 - 18:00
- 31. December closed
Bodestraße, 10178 Berlin
Third-party OpenStreetMap cookies
By loading the map, you accept OpenStreetMaps' privacy policy of OpenStreetMap.
+49 (030) 266 42 42 42
Exhibitions
Events
James-Simon-Galerie
Africa - Cradle of Humanity (in English)
Guided Tour
James-Simon-Galerie
Eins zu Eins – Heute: James-Simon-Galerie
zur Sonderausstellung „Planet Africa. Eine archäologische Zeitreise“
James-Simon-Galerie
Afrikareise durch Raum und Zeit
Guided Tour
James-Simon-Galerie
Afrika – Wiege der Menschheit
Guided Tour
Digital
Tickets
Yearly ticket
Click here for information about Yearly ticket.
Member of Museumspass Berlin
Services
- Museum Shop
- Restaurant
- Cafe
- Diaper changing table
Accessibility
Audioguides
Nearby
Art Museum
Antikensammlung
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Art Museum
Altes Museum
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Art Museum
Neues Museum
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
History Museum
Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Art Museum
Alte Nationalgalerie
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Art Museum