Berlin Pergamon Museum open for last day before 14-year renovation

Berlin's Pergamon Museum opened its doors for the last time for several years on Sunday as, due to extensive renovation work, one of the highlights on the World Heritage-listed Museum Island is facing a 14-year closure, reported dpa.

Large crowds and queues are expected on its last day. The time slots have been booked out far in advance. With extended opening hours, the museum - which houses the world-famous Ishtar Gate or the Processional Way of Babylon - can be visited until from 9 am to 9 pm (0700-1900 GMT).

The Pergamon Museum is one of the most popular German museums. It will remain completely closed for at least four years.

The north wing of the building and the central wing with the famous Pergamon Altar have already been without public access for 10 years.

Section A, which features the Pergamon Altar, should be accessible again in 2027. Section B will remain closed until at least 2037, which means that the entire Pergamon Museum can't be explored again until after 14 years at the earliest. The total cost could be €1.5 billion.

The Pergamon Museum, which houses the Collection of Classical Antiquities, the Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Museum of Islamic Art, is one of the few museums in German to attract more than 1 million people a year.