The Altes Museum, or old museum, was completed in 1830. With the monumental pillars of its facade, its atrium and a rotunda with antique sculptures – all designed to remind visitors of the Pantheon in Rome – it is a magnificent example of neoclassical architecture. It was originally built to house the Prussian royal family’s art collection. Now, after several renovations – including one made necessary by the explosion of a truck in front of it during World War II – the building houses Greek and Ro-man art and sculptures. The collections also include gold and silver jewelry and, in the Blue Chamber, a fascinating array of historical coins.The Old Museum in Berlin is one of my favorite places. When you enter through the towering pillars and up the imposing staircase to the halls of the museum you find yourself thrown back in history. The picture was taken during the Festival of Lights in 2005. The writing says “Ein Dank (a thank you)” to the cultural venues Berlin has to offer