In the early 19th c. Crown Prince Ludwig's agents purchased numerous sculptures of ancient art from Greece and Italy . Since suitable exhibition rooms for these treasures were missing, the "Glyptothek" was erected at the north side of the
Koenigsplatz by
Leo von Klenze in 1816 - 30. It was the first museum of antique sculptures in Europe. The front side of this neo-classical four-wing building, which was built around an inner courtyard, is towered by a pediment sitting on 8 Ionian pillars. The rooms receive light by the inner court, since the outer walls do not have any windows. Their only decoration are 18 sculptures placed in niches.
For the first time the exhibits are arranged chronologically and not according to their contents.
The collection covers Greek and Roman sculptures from 6th c. B.C. to 4th c. A.D. The "Barberini Faun" a sleeping satyr statue made of marble which is named after its place of excavation, the Palazzo Barberini in Rome, is one of the most remarkable exhibits. Further outstanding pieces of art are the Aeginetes, Archaic pediment figures of the Temple of Aphaia in Aegina. During the World War II the building was heavily destroyed and could not be reopened before 1972.
Opening hours: Tue, Wen, Fri to Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thu 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
U-Bahn
(U2) to Königsplatz
