Favourite places on Museum Island: “This is where my heart is”
Where do Museum Island employees most enjoy spending time? Three places that trigger big emotions.
Stefanie Meisgeier, research intern at the Alte Nationalgalerie
“When I enter the domed hall at the Alte Nationalgalerie, I feel a sense of exhilaration. It is a room flooded with light, with a beautiful blue ceiling onto which gold stars are painted. I love the details and ornamentation that one can discover here. The thing I like best are the shell-like elements on the ceiling. The colours are simply wonderful. The domed hall is a calming place right at the heart of the museum. It delights me every time and I am so pleased to be able to work here.”
Rüdiger Perleberg, a security guard on Museum Island for 26 years
“The Alte Nationalgalerie is my favourite place, this is where my heart is. I stand here in all weathers - but for me the sun comes up every day I come here. It is a place where young and old come together, a place full of life. I could write books about all the things I have experienced here over the years. I’m not just keeping watch, however - I am also a source of information for visitors. I enjoy that and find my encounters with them inspiring. That’s why I come here every day with a smile on my face.”
Professor Friederike Seyfried, director of the Egyptian Museum
“The grand staircase at the Neues Museum is my favourite place. It is an incredible achievement by the architect David Chipperfield. When I first stepped onto the staircase when I took office in 2009, I was overwhelmed - it was a truly spatial experience. I particularly love this space when I have the chance to be here on my own. I have this privilege in the early mornings, when the museum is still empty. However, even when lots of people are here it is still simply a space in which one can breathe deeply and relax. It has grand and expansive proportions, and dignity. One special experience was when the Berlin radio choir once performed an a cappella concert here. The acoustics were phenomenal, almost like in a cathedral. The staircase is a gorgeous place.”
