The monumental work will be placed in a virtual world, and AI will provide background information about it.
The Pergamon Altar, considered one of the most significant works of Hellenistic art and dating from the 2nd century BC from what is now Turkey, has been one of the central exhibits of the Berlin museum named after it since 1930. The monumental work will soon also be available in an interactive 3D application.
Several iconic parts of the Pergamon Altar, dedicated to Zeus, are being digitized as part of a collaboration between the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and Siemens. Several hundred thousand detailed images will be taken of the richly crafted Gigantomachy frieze, more than 110 meters long, depicting the mythical battle between the gods and the giants, as well as of the Telephos frieze, which tells the myth of the city of Pergamon and its ruling dynasty. These will be placed in a three-dimensional space where the altar can be explored from all sides, and with the help of an application using artificial intelligence, visitors will be able to receive personalized background information about the work.
The digital installation not only makes previously unseen details of the work accessible but also reduces barriers to access and opens new opportunities for research, education, and cultural communication.
The Pergamon Museum is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation and will reopen in 2027, but the altar will become accessible to visitors even before the reopening.