Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum), Berlin (must see)
The German Historical Museum, known by the acronym DHM, describes itself as a place of "enlightenment and understanding of the shared history of Germans and Europeans." Often viewed as one of the most important museums in Berlin, it is also one of its most frequented. The museum is located in the Baroque-style Armory building, the oldest on the Unter den Linden, which was completed in 1706.
The DHM was established on 28 October 1987, to commemorate Berlin鈥檚 750th anniversary, and was inaugurated inside the Reichstag. The idea for the museum was supported by Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who considered it a national priority. A committee of historians developed the museum鈥檚 concept, emphasizing a multi-perspective approach to German history in an international context.
The DHM was originally planned to be built near the Reichstag. However, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 changed plans, and the museum was moved to the historic Armory on Unter den Linden. This transition was completed in 1991. The Armory underwent extensive restoration from 1994 to 1998 and saw a new hall 鈥� for temporary exhibitions, spanning four floors 鈥� designed by Chinese-American architect I M Pei.
In addition to it, the museum also features a specialized research library with over 225,000 volumes, including rare books and museum catalogs, housed in a building that previously served as the Prussian Central Cooperative Bank and later a GDR state-run company. The museum鈥檚 cinema offers a program focusing on historical and film-historical themes through exhibitions and retrospectives. Since 2004, it has been a venue for the Berlin International Film Festival鈥檚 "Retrospective and Homage" screenings.
Inaugurated by Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2006, the museum's Permanent Exhibition remains a key institution for understanding Germany鈥檚 past in a global context. Comprehensive explanations for the exhibits are available in both German and English, making it worth a few hours' investment for those intrigued by in-depth German and European history.
Editor's Note:
The Armory is closed for essential renovations and the renewal of the Permanent Exhibition since June 28, 2021. It is expected to reopen to visitors at the end of 2025.
The DHM was established on 28 October 1987, to commemorate Berlin鈥檚 750th anniversary, and was inaugurated inside the Reichstag. The idea for the museum was supported by Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who considered it a national priority. A committee of historians developed the museum鈥檚 concept, emphasizing a multi-perspective approach to German history in an international context.
The DHM was originally planned to be built near the Reichstag. However, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 changed plans, and the museum was moved to the historic Armory on Unter den Linden. This transition was completed in 1991. The Armory underwent extensive restoration from 1994 to 1998 and saw a new hall 鈥� for temporary exhibitions, spanning four floors 鈥� designed by Chinese-American architect I M Pei.
In addition to it, the museum also features a specialized research library with over 225,000 volumes, including rare books and museum catalogs, housed in a building that previously served as the Prussian Central Cooperative Bank and later a GDR state-run company. The museum鈥檚 cinema offers a program focusing on historical and film-historical themes through exhibitions and retrospectives. Since 2004, it has been a venue for the Berlin International Film Festival鈥檚 "Retrospective and Homage" screenings.
Inaugurated by Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2006, the museum's Permanent Exhibition remains a key institution for understanding Germany鈥檚 past in a global context. Comprehensive explanations for the exhibits are available in both German and English, making it worth a few hours' investment for those intrigued by in-depth German and European history.
Editor's Note:
The Armory is closed for essential renovations and the renewal of the Permanent Exhibition since June 28, 2021. It is expected to reopen to visitors at the end of 2025.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Berlin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum) on Map
Sight Name: Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum)
Sight Location: Berlin, Germany (See walking tours in Berlin)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Berlin, Germany (See walking tours in Berlin)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Berlin, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Berlin
Creating your own self-guided walk in Berlin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Berlin Introduction Walking Tour
The German capital, Berlin, is known for its turbulent past. Today, this sprawling metropolis is filled with a mix of historical resonance and modernity manifested in creative industries, popular media, and diverse cultural tourism.
The first written records of settlements in the present-day Berlin area date back to the late 12th century. In 1157, the region came under German rule as part of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
The first written records of settlements in the present-day Berlin area date back to the late 12th century. In 1157, the region came under German rule as part of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Alexanderplatz Walking Tour
One of Berlin鈥檚 cosmopolitan hearts, Alexanderplatz (or Alexander Square) is a true hive of activity. There is always something going on here: Christmas markets, Easter fairs, buskers, performances, Oktoberfest, and the list is countless. Easily accessible, with lots of transport connections and all manner of drink and food outlets, it鈥檚 a great place to hang around, take photos, and enjoy... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tiergarten Walking Tour
Known for the huge park of the same name, which once was a royal hunting ground, the central district of Tiergarten (German for 鈥淎nimal Garden鈥�) is home to the Berlin Zoo, the Victory Column with its winged statue and the lively, lakeside Caf茅 am Neuen See.
Begin your exploration at Postdamer Platz, the historic central square of Berlin, once regarded in the same way as Piccadilly Circus... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Begin your exploration at Postdamer Platz, the historic central square of Berlin, once regarded in the same way as Piccadilly Circus... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Third Reich Walking Tour
The 鈥淭hird Reich鈥� and 鈥淣azi Germany鈥� are the common English names for Germany between 1933 and 1945, when it was a totalitarian state led by Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers鈥� Party. For any visitor to Berlin, the Nazi surrender that ended World War II is still a point of interest, but matching locations to those moments of history can be a challenge. On this special... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Berlin Food Walking Tour
While Berlin may not be considered a typical foodie destination yet, recent years saw a growing number of decent places to eat, serving both German and international cuisine. At some point, the city has even earned itself the title of a vegetarian capital of the world, contrary to what one may have expected. Amid all this renaissance in creativity and culture, coupled with the influx of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Museum Island Walking Tour
One of Berlin鈥檚 most visited attractions, the Museum Island ("Museumsinsel") complex was established by order of King Frederick William IV of Prussia in 1841 and houses several world-famous museums kept in close vicinity of each other. The island itself is spectacular for a walk, with wonderful architecture, statues, gardens and trees, so enjoy the atmosphere and make at least a day... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Berlin Mementos: 18 Souvenir Shopping Ideas for Travelers
Too many people and for very different reasons strove to set their foot in Berlin over the course of the 20th century. Today, the city proves just as luring a destination for numerous travelers who want to come and enjoy themselves in this fascinating European capital and, perhaps, bring home...
Best Food in Kreuzberg, Berlin
Kreuzberg is known for having great cheap, street food, particularly of the Middle Eastern variety. On almost every corner you can find a kebab or falafel shop, although the trick is knowing which to choose! While you can typically get a good, tasty wrap for 鈧�2.50-4, the quality, quantity and...
Best Bars in Kreuzberg, Berlin
Kreuzberg and "Kreuzk枚lln" - the area where Kreuzberg and Neuk枚lln meet, mostly along the canal in east Kreuzberg and north of Sonnenall茅e in Neuk枚lln - has a constantly and rapidly evolving bar culture that makes it one of the trendiest alternative evening and nightlife spots in...
A Self-Guided Food Walk in Berlin
Repeatedly scarred throughout its long and often depressing past, today's Berlin has made a comeback as a major bohemian hub which lures artists and creatively-minded folk from all over the globe in their droves. It may well not be considered a typical foodie destination yet, but in recent...
Best Cafes in Kreuzberg, Berlin
Traditionally, you may expect the cafes around Kottbusser Tor and throughout Kreuzberg to be dominated by ethnic Turks, particularly men, in rooms that do much to resemble the cafes of Istanbul.
More recently, however, the ethnically Turkish and Arab communities that have typically inhabited...
Best Caf茅s and Coffee Houses of Berlin
Cafes have a certain refinery and elegance that pubs lack; there is a mellowness that is rarely found in bars and clubs, and an ease and tranquillity that is not to be found in restaurants with their steaming kitchens, heavy plates, clattering cutlery, constant complaints and corrections and,...