Historic homage to European craftsmanship
The Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts) is the oldest of its kind in Germany. It houses world-famous examples of European arts and crafts, including magnificent reliquaries made of gold and precious gemstones, exquisite vases of glass and porcelain, finely embroidered textiles, ornate inlaid furniture and classic examples of modern industrial design. The museum was designed by Rolf Gutbrod, a leading German architect from the 1960s, and was completed in its place on the Kulturforum in 1985. From 2012 to 2014, large parts of the original Gutbrod building were modernized and since reopening in 2014, the Kunstgewerbemuseum’s main site at the Kulturforum provides a systematic overview of the key achievements in European design, from the Middle Ages to the present day; its second location at the Schloss Köpenick displays interior design from the 16th to 18th centuries. A new fashion gallery presents an extensive range of costumes and accessories from the 18th to 20th centuries, including Baroque court costumes and haute couture. Since 2024, the acclaimed medieval hall has been closed for a redesign scheduled to open in 2026; highlights from this collection, including the Guelph Treasure, are currently on view in a temporary exhibition.
