The Glyptothek

The Glyptothek, Munich's oldest museum, was recently rebuilt. Its name comes from the Greek word "glyptik", which means "sculpture". This Neoclassical structure, completed in 1830, houses one of Europe's most important sculpture collections, much of it gathered in the early nineteenth century by King Ludwig I, a great lover of ancient art.

The interior walls are windowless and lined with several sculptures, and the outside walls are fronted by an Ionic portico. Its many chambers are lighted from the central courtyard. Many rare pieces of Greek and Roman sculpture, such as the magnificent figures from the pediment of the Temple of Aphaia from 500 BC, are among the highlights. A sculpture of Homer, as well as a figure of Irene, the Greek Goddess of Peace, are among the other features.

The State Collections of Antiquities (Staatliche Antikensammlungen), which houses the Bavarian collections of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities, is also worth a visit and is only a short walk away across a nice park.

Address: Konigsplatz 3, 80333 München
Website: www.antike-am-koenigsplatz.mwn.de/en/