I love museums, but this museum is pathetic. The main history museum is closed, and only one odd display called " the road, not taken" is open in the more modern building. We made the mistake of purchasing combo tickets for both the history component and the nature component of the museum. The nature component of the museum is simply one of the worst, most logical, and pathetic museums I've ever encountered. Until the big history museum is reopened, simply skip " the road, not taken" and visit the topography of terror. The topography of terror presented much deeper history and it's free. Cost for both museums was €10 per person. Coat check and bag storage is on the ground floor. No cost for coat check and bag storage. Clean restrooms on ground floor. A water bottle filling station is available on the ground floor but no water fountains. Be sure to bring your own water bottle. Free Wi-Fi available read more

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This is a lovely building. It is 5 euros per person if you want to do both exhibits. The main exhibit is not worth 2.5 euros, it should be free because it is disjointed and odd. 1star but the potato display was the best! Skip that exhibit and do The roads not Taken exhibit if you want an overview of German history and even then I would almost say skip it. 3 stars. Free WiFi, toilets are clean, and coat check available. read more

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There is an awesome timeline about German/Prussian history at street level. They do have educational flims. The guided tours are in different languages. read more

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Umfortunatley when we went today, they are renovating the old building. So the new building had only ONE exhibit on immigrants. Very disappointing. Luckily admission was included in our Berlin Museum passes. Or it wouldn't have been worthwhile. And I think we were told renovation would last until 2025! I thought we would get the history of Berlin!!!! read more

We spent about three hours at the museum today and it was well worth visiting. There's a HUGE amount of very detailed information (text) throughout the museum and therefore a visit entails a very serious outlook. Note that almost everything is translated into English. There's also a good-sized restaurant - and although we didn't eat there, we looked at the bakery case; the (many) different varieties of cakes were *gorgeous* and really tempting-looking. Also, the bookstore has a *terrific* selection; especially photo books. read more

Super important museum if you're interested in understanding...pretty much everything about Germany. Disclaimer: I'm not a museum enthusiast and spent over 6 hours here. It's large and well organized. Start on the upper floor and follow the chronology starting in 500 AD. Wander through a series of rooms that take you up to 1918. We spent 3 hours on that. After a lunch break, we went through years 1918 up to the end of the Berlin Wall. The museum closes at 6pm and we didn't quite finish. Another feature is that we got to see how other world powers were interacting with Germany at various points in history. Must see read more

I have to say I highly enjoyed this museum. It gives a historical overview of Germany throughout the ages. There was a ton of material that we just didn't have enough time to devote to properly. The one draw back is that most of the text is in German with minimal English text. This isn't that surprising given it is in Germany, but you miss out on many of the nuances of the artifacts as a result. The collection is beautiful, and even with the minimal English text I still very much enjoyed it. read more

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This museum feels like you are literally walking through time. It took me hours to go through this one (my feet weren't happy, but my brain was). The plaques have excellent descriptions of what you are seeing. It really is a good and thorough look at German history. If you want to know how the Germans became Germans, this is the place to be! read more

Super important museum if you're interested in understanding...pretty much everything about Germany. Disclaimer: I'm not a museum enthusiast and spent over 6 hours here. It's large and well organized read more

Maybe the best museum of its kind I've ever been to (if someone knows of a better one anywhere in the world, please let me know so I can put it on my bucket list!). I spend three hours here one afternoon, returned the following morning for another three, and still only saw about two-thirds of the museum. The chronological layout is well thought out, the artifacts are well selected and presented, and the story is well told (there is much to read). And all this for only around four euro. In lieu of a ticket they give you a little sticker to wear on your shirt. I just wore the same shirt the second day instead of paying another another entrance (in retrospect, that was probably a little cheap of me). I'll be back to complete the museum (and will buy another sticker this time)... read more

The German History Museum contains an amazingly broad collection of artifacts (more than 7,000 objects) from German history (beginning in 500 CE)! It also has a special exhibitions hall and a cinema. The permanent exhibition - Germany History in Images and Artifacts - is HUGE and can take hours to explore! But it's a great museum to explore on any trip to Berlin! read more

Deutsches Historisches Museum - Museums Near Me - Berlin, BE

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if you are looking for a place to learn about Germany's history hands-on, whala! This is the place to go! Admission to get in here is very cheap and it is located near the tower. The museum itself is very large and spacious, which means you won't be bumping into people or waiting in long lines. You see a little bit of everything, art, sculptures, historic tools, armory, weapons, costumes etc. This is definitely a must visit to museum during your trip to Germany! read more

Deutsches Historisches Museum - you get to sign the book! :) - Museums Near Me - Berlin, BE

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We came here on a free day and were immediately bummed that we didn't come in earlier. We probably had about 2 hours in the museum before closing and felt like we had to run through it to even get a glimpse of what they have. You could easily spend all day in here and still have more to see. This gives a great window into Germany's past, art, and culture. The museum going in chronological order, so if you have any specific period you are interested in it will be easy to find it. The architecture of building is awesome as well. With a very modern entrance you eventually make your way into the next door building which is a much more classic building, sorry my architecture terms are not the best. Next time we are in Berlin, I plan to put aside an entire day for this one museum. read more

Allow yourself time to stroll in this regal museum. You can just feel the history. Bonus: it has one of the best restaurants in Berlin, a feel from it like right out of the 40's. The best Marzipan cake ever and I had one of my best meals there in Berlin. The store is fab also. All else has been said...If you visit just one museum, it should be this one. Footnote: do not expect good service at all in their restaurant...so you may to wave and act silly and make funny faces to get attention...too bad It seems quite common to have sub par service in Berlin...oh well read more

Normally I get bored in museums when it gets to information I've kind of heard before but didn't hear all of it...but that didn't happen at all here. I was in here for at least an hour only reading the main parts (and then had to run to more museums) and talked to someone in my hostel who spent over 2 hours in here and then wondered where the time went. Really good displays and they don't spend too much time on information you can find in other museums (i.e. the last 70 years) so they can focus more on the further away past. A lot of different aspects that you can interact with as well. Another great deal in Berlin, as it is only 4 euro. read more

Deutsches Historisches Museum - Museums Near Me - Berlin, BE

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I always loved this place and their temporary exhibitions. Nowadays, they have an exhibition called "Art from the Holocaust" where the museum exhibits the collection of Yad Vashem Holocaust Research Center from Israel. There are 100 pieces of paintings that drew by Jewish victims at concentration camps all around Europe. Its open till April 3, 2016. read more

Deutsches Historisches Museum - Museums Near Me - Berlin, BE

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I am surprised by my review 3 years ago. This time I found this museum to be very impressive- almost essential to obtaining an understanding of German history. This place is so packed with fascinating information that it took me 2 long visits to even get to the 18th Century! read more

The German Historical Museum is very close to Museum island and other big museums in Berlin, however its focus is upon Germany (obviously). It covers the history of Germany from around 100BC to the present day. I didn't have time to go through all of this museum (went through about half of it). Most of the items are from 1800s to today, while I was more interested in earlier periods eg. the Reformation and Martin Luther (1500s) so it was a little disappointing that there wasn't much there on Luther despite this being advertised (approximately 10 minutes of time if you read everything). There is a lot more on modern history e.g. Berlin as a divided city so if you are interested in that, you will probably find it quite fascinating. Good points are: - it's got English captions on most things (major things at least) - people speak English - easy to find - big pink building right on Unter den Linden - nice building - not too big you feel overwhelmed e.g. British Museum, Louvre, etc - some wings are air conditioned Best to go there with the Berlin Welcome card (48 hours free public transport, and discounted entry to certain things) so that the costs are lower EUR2.50 instead of EUR5. read more

Deutsches Historisches Museum - Museums Near Me - Berlin, BE

I came here on my first day in Berlin. My mistake was that I didn't get to the museum earlier... I gave myself just under 2 hours before the museum closed. I think to fully enjoy it at a good pace, going for 3 hours is recommended. It's a very rich museum with lots of exhibits that you want to stay and read everything. Many times, they also have a special exhibit included with your price. If you are a student, please remember to bring your id for a student price for tickets. I was told by many people that this museum was one not to be missed. They are right because it is very interesting and extensive. I normally shy away from history museums because I feel they are drab- this is the exception. It is well curated and has lots of things to see and read about. I feel like just going here, I learned so much more about German history than I did in my history classes. The architecture is also very pretty and nice. I came here in the winter and it is nice that they provide coat check. Everyone who works here is very helpful and friendly. There is also a nice gift shop near the exit. If you are looking for other things to see near by, there is also the Cathedral and museum island just a short walk away. read more

If you're interested in the history of Germany and so happen to be in Berlin, this is an excellent place to visit. There's a small admissions charge, however there's plenty to see (and learn) so you can definitely ensure that you get your monies worth. As well as the main history exhibition there's a smaller exhibition space on the lower floor which changes quite regularly. The main exhibition space is laid out in chronological order so if you're looking for a specific section of history it's easy to navigate to where you want to be. There's also a choice to purchase an audio guide upon entrance so if you're interested in learning extra tid bits and hearing some anidotes I'd certainly recommend it. There's also plenty of art work, memorabilia, newspaper cuttings, photos, books and other historical objects to browse whilst wandering through the museum. I wouldn't really say that this museum is child friendly, as there's lots of reading and walking to do. read more

This place is AMAZING. Definitely worth the price of admission. It will likely take you a couple hours to get through, maybe even a few hours if you really want to take your time and absorb everything. Any aspect of German history you can think of, it's here. It goes in chronological order, all the way from 800 AD (I think) to today. There are loads of posters, military stuff, documents (including a German-language US Declaration of Independence). Costumes, weapons, and paintings abound. It is fascinating to see the changes during each era of Germany's rich history. The great thing too is this place is very spacious, so you don't have a bunch of people crowding around the one thing you're trying to see. I went during a really prime time and I still didn't have issues with the place being overcrowded. It's also right by the DDR Museum and Berliner Dom, so it's a great, easy-to-find location. read more

Very informative and a must see museum. The layout is fantastic and by turning in each corner you chronologically walk through German history. You need a few hours at least to see everything. They go through German history before it was even called Germany right up until what is happening now. Since the place is so massive they do tours of the museum itself and they do English tours as well, so if you are not a big history person this might interest you! Spoiler Alert!! - If you are from the US they have a copy of the Declaration of Independence written in German! Apparently when the declaration was signed a copy of it was in German as well due to the number of German immigrants in the colonies at that time. read more

Design: Architectural design is comparable to some of the better museums in America and Europe. I loved the courtyard and center (glass ceilings). The natural light in the courtyard is amazing when it's sunny! I hear the I.M.Pei architectural design (extension) is one of the best in the world! Cafe: When you're hungry, grab a bite to eat in their cafe: huge, flavorful pizzas, delicious bratwurst and sauerkraut, and try the iced tea. Language Accommodation: Most exhibits are in German-Only while others are in English and German. However, you can interpret what you're viewing through context. Convenience: There is coat/bag check available for free on the bottom floor. The service for the coat check is friendly and convenient. I'd recommend for anyone visiting Berlin with special interest in the Cold War Era and Immigration (especially meaningful and timely) read more

One of the better museums I have experienced on my European adventures. I literally only walked in because it was pouring with rain and I needed shelter. Bought myself an dirt cheap €4 student ticket, and boy was I impressed with what they had to offer. Chronological history of Germany from start to finish. I knew very little about Germany, and my crash course in history has really opened me up to why it is such an architecturally amazing city. read more

The best museum I have ever been to. Laid out in chronological order, with a more-or-less 'one-way' flow, the museum does not have a ton of everything from every period, but it has 'just enough'. Starting from Roman times leading up to almost present day, you wander your way through German history. What is great is the curatorial display. Color coding shows you the time period you are in; one way traffic shows the flow of time and manages crowds; limited objects means only the best are shown. Sometimes little 'asides' or 'further education' areas are available; little lofts filled with other related topics to the time period at hand. For example, during the WW2 area there is a loft with Nazi art and music. Sort of a break-out session. This place is fantastic. Another great area is the East/West area. Divided in two, there are examples of each nation's artifacts mirrored on either side of the hall. A Trabi vs a VW Bug, etc. Other highlights include Napoleon's hat, selections of Pickelhelbe and how they made them into cooking pots, a map with Hitler's writing on it showing annexation of Poland, a V2 rocket engine, the bench from the Nuremburg trials, and the aforementioned East/West area. We spent 4 hours in the museum and actually stayed until closing. We will definitely return. Note: Many things are in English and the little handheld things aren't needed. read more

It's a fantastic museum showing German history from 1th century before Christ till 1994; for example Church Reformation and Thirty Years War, French revolution influence in Europe etc. And on the occasion of 25th anniversary, German Historical Museum presents painting from its own collection: More than 100 selected works from time between 14th and 20th centuries. It's important to reserve enough time to visit exhibitions! It can take hours to check every item but it's really a nice thing to do! It's worth it and we really enjoyed it. Service was OK. Price is 8€ (all exhibitions included). read more

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Of all the museums I visited in Berlin, this was, by far, my favorite. I would liken the Deutsches Historiches Museum to a German version of the USA's Smithsonian. The entrance price is high, but if you start early, it is well worth it. I came to the museum late in the day, about two hours before closing (1800 hrs on most days). This was not nearly enough time to properly explore this museum. Situated on the top floor is German history from long long ago to the early 20th Century. The bottom floor explores the country's history from post-WWI onward, including a tasteful yet informative section on National Socialism. I found the top floor interesting, though perhaps a little overwhelming due to the sheer number of exhibits. One could spend many hours on the top floor alone. The bottom floor, with many real exhibits from that dark period in German history, was both frightening and fascinating. It also had a detailed section on post-WWII divided Germany. I highly recommend this museum, though I suggest allotting a significant amount of time to fully enjoy it. read more

I originally wasn't planning on visiting this museum, but I'm very glad that I wound up checking it out. So many interesting items! The permanent exhibit is divided into two sections: one floor of the museum focuses on the history of Germany from the 5th century up to World War I, and the other floor showcases objects from pre-World War II until the end of the 20th century. Many of the more "important" displays have English captions, making it easy for non-German speakers to comprehend the museum. I was very impressed with the wide variety of items being exhibited. The displays about World War II are particularly moving, but don't just skip ahead to the more chronologically recent rooms, as there are many fascinating objects found on the first floor (Suits of armor! Plague masks! Napoleon's hat!) worth your time. read more

Stunning. Sweeping. Complete. If you have any interest in Central European history, this museum is a must! €8 entry fee and well worth every euro. The number of original document artifacts is staggering. Some of the best artifacts are tucked away ( maybe intentionally for third Reich artifacts) , I spent 5 hours here and was engaged and fascinated the whole time. read more

This history museum has more coverage of pre-20th century German history than you might expect. There is plenty of coverage of such periods as ancient Germany, the 30 Years War, and German unification. It would take a whole day to go through and read everything. If you skim just the parts you're interested in, it will probably still take 2+ hours to see both floors. read more

The museum gives you an understanding of Germany's cultural and political history. There's a lot to take in a single visit, so you'll probably come back more than once. The exhibit devoted to the rise of the Nazis did help me to understand the turmoil in Germany after WW I and how it created a fertile environment for Hitler. But, somehow, the relatively small size of the area given to this subject seems inadequate compared to the enormity of the crimes committed and enabled by a people whose scientific and artistic history achievements are in evidence elsewhere in the museum. But to be fair, no amount of space would be adequate. The Museum of Terror elsewhere in Berlin does have a different focus and does a better job of dealing with the planning and management of the Holocaust. My favorite objects in the museum are Napoleon's hat (left behind when he fled the battlefield in 1815--you can still see where his thumb left its mark on the front), an intact tent of an Ottoman general who also fled a battlefield and Hitler's oversized desk, which he had built to impress visitors. read more

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I really wanted to like this museum. Of all the museums in Berlin this was the first one we chose to visit. Unfortunately, it has left much to be desired. The exhibits look fascinating but don't have much English-language information available aside from occasional brief description. Also, we thought the WW2 and holocaust exhibits were not expansive enough, considering their impact on the world. read more

While not the best organised or signed museum, the DHM presents a salient, detailed history of Berlin's, and Germany's, development through time. There is a notable military focus, which will make some happy and others not. For me, the highlight is the new building, designed by I.M. Pei. The courtyard linking the two has also been brilliantly restored. Two hours for the museum, an hour admiring the architecture. :) read more

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This museum is situated within the heart of Berlin, being a place of many historical events itself. I was fascinated by the variety and quality of the exhibition. Nearly every period of German history is presented in detail. Entry prices are very moderate. The museum can be recommended to anyone who has an interest in German history or is visiting Berlin for a few days. But take some time... read more

A lovely, detailed museum with impressive artifacts. Note for English-speakers: the English Audio Guide isn't necessary as the plaques are all in German and English. read more

continuing on with my reviews of Berlin, we come to the German History Museum. this is a very well laid-out and detailed museum, whose exhibits focus on German social, political, cultural, and military history. there's 2000+ years' worth of artifacts on display: everything from the Germanic tribes up to the modern day. you start at the beginning and proceed linearly through history. well, mostly - there are some points along the way where it could be a bit more clear so far as directions go, so you may find yourself weaving between time periods. the first floor covers everything up to World War I, the second floor covers Weimar Germany, Nazi Germany, WW2, the Cold War, and post-reunification. there are plenty of cool things to photograph. lots of weaponry in particular - Germany's past is filled with battles between religions, tribes, nations, and whatnot. my only minor quibble is that it's a bit of an old-school museum setup: I think there were some interactive exhibits, but overall, mostly it was a lot of reading. granted, I'm a speed reader, so I didn't have a problem. very inexpensive for admission - I think it was 3 Euro with the pass. I accidentally got on a handicapped elevator, providing some laughs to other confused sightseers. for the price and amount of stuff on display, definitely worth checking out. read more

Berlin: A history Founded in the 13th century, Berlin is rich in history. Not without its problems, this city has experienced many historical movements that have not only formed Berlin but the rest of the world. Berlin grew from the nearby cities of Berlin and Cölln, which expanded rapidly throughout the Middle Ages. In 1709 King Friedrich I declared the unification of the five towns of Berlin, Cölln, Friedrichswerder, Dorotheenstadt, and Friedrichstadt to form the capital and royal residence of Berlin. From 1740, Berlin developed into a centre of the Enlightenment, establishing itself at the forefront of European culture, a reputation it still enjoys today. Under the rule of Friedrich the Great, some of Berlin's most well-known monuments were constructed. These include St Hedwig's Cathedral, Prinz-Heinrich-Palais (now Humboldt University) and The Opera Palace. In 1861, the city expanded further with the incorporation of the suburbs Wedding, Gesundbrunnen, Moabit, Chalottenburg, Schöneberg and Rixdorf. In 1871 Berlin was named as capital of the German Reich, becoming the empire's political, economic, and scientific hub. The 20th century saw the outbreak of the First World War, and Germany's defeat meant the city found it increasingly difficult to feed its people, leading to massive strikes. Kaiser Wilhelm II was eventually ousted, leading to the founding of the Weimar Republic in 1918. This period promised to bring new freedoms and liberties, but was plagued by political and economic instability. Then, during the 'Golden Twenties', Berliners responded in true Berlin style, with cabaret and jazz dominating entertainment in the city. Pleasure Pits were dotted all over, turning the metropolis of Berlin into a 'sextropolis'. Unfortunately, this era of uncertainty paved the way for Hitler and the Nazi Party. The German people had had enough of poverty and squalor and craved stability. Hitler rose through the ranks of politics at an incredible pace. Appointed Chancellor in 1933, he fused the offices of President and Chancellor, gaining absolute power and becoming Führer of the Third Reich. Home to the Headquarters of the Nazi Party, Berlin was the focal point of Allied attacks on Germany, which resulted in much of the city being destroyed. The wide-spread reconstruction shaped the landscape of the city we recognise today. After the War, Berlin, along with the rest of Germany, was divided into four occupation zones. These were controlled by the USSR, Britain, the USA and France. Tensions quickly emerged between the Western Allies and the Soviets regarding the management of the German economy. These disagreements came to a head in June 1948, when the Allies introduced a new currency - the Deutschmark. Viewing this as a breach of the Potsdam Agreement, which stipulated that Germany be treated as one economic zone, the Soviets responded by adopting the Ostmark. Separation between the two states became official in 1949. The Western Zones formed the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) with Bonn as its capital, and the East became the German Democratic Republic (GDR), whose capital was East Berlin. The West flourished under the leadership of Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, with the progressive economic policies of Ludwig Erhard paving the way for the Wirtschaftswunder (economic miracle) of the 1950s and 60s. Meanwhile, the East was crippled by oppressive Communist rule. The economy was stagnant and the people lived under constant surveillance by the Ministry for State Security (Staatsicherheitspolizei or Stasi). The low quality of life drove many East Berliners to seek refuge in the West. To halt the exodus, the East erected the infamous Berlin Wall. A period of left-wing rebellion and protest erupted in 1968, led mainly by university students and the Rote Armee Faktion (Red Army Faction). Although things had settled down by 1970, some lasting changes were achieved: universities were modernised, the student body was politicised and the Green Party was founded. By the 1980s, change was in the air, but what came next surprised the world. The Wende (the fall of communism) was gradual, eventually climaxing in the collapse of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989. Berlin became a separate city-state; however, economic reform took place in the mid-1990s which led to the signing of the Unification Treaty. In 1991, it was decided that Berlin would once again become the capital and home to the German government. A stroll in Berlin feels like a walk through history. Its tumultuous past and varied cultural tapestry has made Berlin the buzzing capital you are visiting today. read more

Terrific overview of German history from medieval times to the present. There is no sugarcoating of the horrors of the 20th c, but they are placed in a context that makes them understandable-- the devastation of World War I and the punitive Versailles treaty led to widespread unemployment and starvation that gave rise to National Socialism and the deadly scapegoating of the Jews. It is very easy to spend four or five hours here. Fortunately the museum café is excellent and provides a delicious and welcome respite from the intense exhibits. This was one of the highlights of our 10 day stay in Berlin. Not to be missed read more

This is one of the best museums I have ever been in. In terms of telling a narrative, I think it's unequaled. I've been to most of the great museums in Europe and America, and this one is really something special. We spent a couple of hours, and only got to the 18th century, so we went to have lunch and came back, and spent a few more hours. I STILL didn't get to see everything. They will give you a sticker to wear- so you can spend a few hours, take a break (eat, sit down!) and come back and see more. I really recommend this place. We have seen so many great things in Berlin- wouldn't have wanted to miss any of them, but I would not have wanted to miss this either. My Berlin top 10- Deutsches Historisches Museum, Reichstag TOUR (free, book in advance, and eat in the restaurant), TV tower (eat there), Potsdam (see as much as you can on the Plus ticket for Sanssouci), Gemaldegallerie, Bode museum, Pergamon museum, Decorative Arts Museum, Instrument Museum, Neues Museum. read more

Half of the museum was closed for what I am assuming is renovation, yet we were still charged full admission. The exhibit that we did see about Nazi-occupied Europe and the gulag were both interesting and informative. read more