Brücke Museum

The basics

The members of the Die Brucke movement—Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Fritz Bleyl, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, and Erich Heckel—used abstract forms, bright colors, and themes from the circus, cabaret, literature, and film in their expressionist work. The movement was also centered around creating art with a connection to nature, which is represented in the current bungalow-style museum set in Berlin’s Grunewald forest. Entrance to the museum is included with the Berlin Pass, which offers access to 50 attractions around the city.

Things to know before you go

• The Brucke Museum is a must-visit for lovers of expressionist art.
• Combination tickets are available for the Brucke Museum and the Kunsthaus Dahlem next door.
• The entire museum is wheelchair accessible including the restrooms and outdoor parking area.

How to get there

The Brucke Museum is located in Berlin’s Dahlem neighborhood. Visitors can take city bus 115 to the Clayallee/Pucklerstrasse stop and walk about five minutes to the complex. For those who would prefer to drive, free on-site parking is available in front of the museum.

When to get there

Since the Brucke museum is Berlin’s smallest museum complex, visitors usually spend about 1.5 hours looking around. It’s best to combine a stop here with a visit to the Kunsthaus Dahlem, just a 5-minute walk away, as well as the nearby Botanical Garden, all located in the southwestern portion of Berlin. Throughout the year, the museum holds temporary exhibitions focused on a theme or on one of the Die Brucke members.

The Avant-Garde Art of Die Brucke

The founding members of the Die Brucke group were ahead of their time using emotional colors combined with themes from nature and folk art. Their works expressed their attitudes towards life—free, personal, passionate, and unacademic. Some of the group’s famous works at this complex included Standing Child by Erich Heckel, Under the Trees by Max Pechstein, and Street, Berlin by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner.