The story of Berlin’s art and culture is one of change and resilience. Accompanied by local Berlin art expert Tim Schmutzler, discover the city’s wide range of art collections covering a huge variety of periods, styles, movements and artists. Learn more too of Berlin’s great history from its humble beginnings as a small settlement on the banks of the River Spree, to its role as the capital of Nazi Germany, to its division during the Cold War, and finally its reunification and emergence as one of Europe's great cultural capitals with its cutting-edge art and architecture.
After a direct flight from Manchester, the journey begins with visits to the Jewish Museum; a sobering reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust and the Reichstag building, once the seat of the German government but now a symbol of the country's commitment to democracy. Explore the Kulturforum a hub of cultural activity, hosting exhibitions, concerts, and performances year-round. It is also home to a collection of museums and cultural institutions. Enjoy guided visits to the Gemäldegalerie with one of Europe’s finest royal collections of 13th to 18th century art and the Neue Nationalgalerie with its special focus on modern and contemporary art includes works by some of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
A full day is planned at Museum Island, a collection of five world-famous museums, offering a glimpse into the city's rich artistic and scientific heritage with guided visits to the Pergamon Museum which owe much of their riches to the relationship German archaeologist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. But Berlin's creative spirit extends beyond its established institutions (old and new), with street art, public sculptures, and alternative galleries all contributing to the city's vibrant cultural landscape.
Enjoy a day exploring Potsdam, located just a short train ride from Berlin; this too is a city with a rich and fascinating culture and history. Once the summer residence of the Prussian kings and German Kaiser, Potsdam is a city of the grandest royal palaces, stunning parks, and historical landmarks offering a window into the city's fascinating past. Visit Sanssouci Palace, the former summer residence of King Frederick the Great and a stunning example of 18th century Baroque architecture surrounded by expansive parks and while the Dutch Quarter is a charming neighbourhood with a unique Dutch-style architecture that dates back to the 18th century.
Perhaps more than any other great European city, Berlin is a city of contrasts with a rich artistic heritage, diverse and eclectic neighbourhoods. This is a city where the remnants of its tumultuous past are juxtaposed (not always comfortably) alongside the modern and vibrant atmosphere of its present.
Please note this visit has been organised exclusively for the Friends of the Whitworth Art Gallery. However, all are most welcome to become Friends where annual membership is £27 per person or £45 per couple per annum based on direct debit.
Trip Leader: Mr Tim Schmutzler
Tim Schmutzler grew up in Goslar, West Germany. After some time in the US and in Paris, France for his academic studies, he settled in Berlin. With a Master’s Degree
in art history he began to work as special interest lecturer in the museums of Berlin and wherever his help was needed between Paris and Moscow. A more recent focus of his work has been the persecutions in Germany after 1933 and his private interest have shifted to music with the Piano Salon Christophori’s collection and concert activities in Berlin.