The Zeughaus was originally constructed as an artillery arsenal for the Prussian army.
The interior courtyard of the Zeughaus features 22 keystone heads known as 'Dying Warriors,' sculpted by Andreas Schlüter.
I.M. Pei, the architect of the museum's glass-fronted extension, also designed the Louvre Pyramid in Paris.
The museum holds over 800,000 objects in its total collection, though only a fraction are on public display.
The building survived significant damage during World War II and underwent extensive restoration during the late 20th century.
The museum’s collection includes personal items belonging to historical figures such as Frederick the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte.
The German Historical Museum, or Deutsches Historisches Museum, serves as the national museum for German history, located in the historic Zeughaus and a modern I.M. Pei-designed extension. The permanent exhibition presents 2,000 years of German history through approximately 7,000 historical objects. The Zeughaus building, dating back to 1695, is the oldest structure on the Unter den Linden boulevard. It showcases artifacts spanning from the Middle Ages to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 1990 reunification. The museum regularly hosts large-scale temporary exhibitions focusing on specific historical epochs or social phenomena. Its collection includes items ranging from weapons and uniforms to everyday political memorabilia and modern art. The Pei-designed Pei-Bau wing features a glass-and-steel staircase and provides additional space for thematic displays. The institution is tasked with critically examining German identity and historical narrative. It functions as both a research archive and a public exhibition space.
The dramatic, light-filled spiral staircase inside the modern Pei-Bau wing.
Prioritize the permanent exhibition in the Zeughaus if you have limited time.
Check the museum website for guided tours, which provide essential context for the complex historical displays.
Use the audio guides to navigate the chronological layout effectively.
Trying to see the entire collection in one visit, which can be overwhelming due to the sheer volume of artifacts.
Open daily throughout the year.
Large bags and backpacks must be stored in lockers; photography for private use is permitted without flash.
