Alte Pinakothek

The Alte Pinakothek, opened in 1836 to designs by Leo von Klenze, is one of the oldest art museums in the world and holds one of Europe's preeminent collections of Old Master paintings — from Dürer and Cranach to Rubens, Rembrandt, and Titian. Heavily damaged in World War II, the building was reconstructed between 1952 and 1957 by architect Hans Döllgast in a deliberately honest manner: rather than erasing the war damage, he left the repaired brick scars visible as a permanent record of destruction, a decision that is now itself protected as a historic monument. The collection traces back to Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria, who began systematically acquiring paintings for the Wittelsbach dynasty from 1528 onward, making it one of Europe's earliest purposefully assembled princely collections. Opening hours run Tuesday and Wednesday until 20:30, Thursday through Sunday until 18:00, with guided tours and a dedicated children's program available.

One of the world's largest old-master collections: Dürer, Rubens, Rembrandt, Leonardo, Titian under one roof. Built in 1836 as the first public museum at this scale.