The Staatliche Antikensammlungen/The State Collection of Antiquities

The Staatliche Antikensammlungen is the State Collections of Antiquities. The museum expanding to pottery, bronzes, jewelry, and more, offering a rich panorama of classical civilizations. The Staatliche Antikensammlungen offers a more comprehensive look at ancient artistry and craftsmanship. The museum in its current form, in this dedicated building, opened in 1967.

However, the story of the collections is much older! They have been built up over centuries by Bavarian rulers, with significant acquisitions happening as far back as the 16th century. Think of generations of Wittelsbachs acting as art collectors, gradually amassing these incredible treasures.

While no single person founded the Staatliche Antikensammlungen in 1967, we can point to King Ludwig I again as a key figure in its history. His passion for classical art, which led to the Glyptothek, also fueled the growth of the wider royal collections of antiquities, which eventually became the Staatliche Antikensammlungen. He was a major early collector whose vision helped shape what we see today.

You’ll see exquisite Greek vases painted with mythological scenes, intricate Etruscan jewelry, Roman bronzes reflecting daily life, and a wealth of other objects that bring the ancient world to life. It’s a chance to see not just grand statues, but also the everyday artistry of ancient civilizations.

It complements the Glyptothek perfectly, together these two museums on Königsplatz create a "classical art district" in Munich. You can easily spend a whole day immersed in the ancient world by visiting both. They offer dif