Pergamon Museum reconstruction faces potential delay until 2043 amid planning issues

A report from Der Spiegel indicates that the reconstruction of the Pergamon Museum, initially projected for completion by 2037, may be delayed until 2043. The German magazine blames this potential delay on bureaucratic inefficiencies, poor planning, and incompetence, coining the term 'Das Pergamonster' for the project. Renovation efforts that began between 2005 and 2010 faced significant disruptions due to planning issues, resulting in a delayed start in 2013. While the museum was partially open during the first construction phase, all galleries were fully closed in 2023. Following the report, the museum reassured that the construction site would not become 'a never-ending story.' The Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (SPK) remains committed to reopening the Pergamon Hall, the Hellenistic Hall, and the Museum of Islamic Art’s north wing in 2027, a milestone just over three years away. Officials highlighted their intention to keep key areas accessible on a rotating basis, with the Pergamon Altar also set to reopen in 2027.