James Simon Gallery

On your right, you’ll see the entrance to the James Simon Gallery. This is the new visitor center for Museum Island, designed by architect David Chipperfield with the brilliant idea of creating both a shared entrance hall and intersection between the various museums. Inside, you’ll find a gift shop selling souvenirs and books on the collections, a café with an outdoor terrace, an auditorium, and a space for temporary exhibitions. The James Simon Gallery also serves as the entrance to the Pergamon Museum and to the underground Archaeological Promenade. The site is named after Henri James Simon, a prominent Jewish philanthropist and the richest man in Berlin at the time. He was an important benefactor of Berlin’s museums funding numerous charitable projects. Notably, he donated the world-famous bust of Nefertiti to the Egyptian Museum, a piece that has become one of Berlin’s most visited treasures. Considering the number of visitors who come to see Nefertiti, it is clear that James Simon deserves to have the visitor center named after him. Now, continue along the path and take an immediate right onto Am Kupfergraben Street to discover the island’s final two museums.