The Altes Museum (Old Museum) is part of the Museum Island complex and is therefore a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Karl Friedrich Schinkel between 1825 and 1830 on behalf of King Frederick William III, it is considered one of the masterpieces of German Classicism. The architect Schinkel's plans were also based on designs by the Crown Prince, later King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, who desired an acropolis-like development of the Museum Island.

During the Nazi era, the Altes Museum served as a backdrop for propaganda events. It was hit by high-explosive bombs during air raids in 1941 and 1943 and burned down in May 1945 when an ammunition truck parked next to it exploded.

From 1951 to 1966, the building was largely restored to its original condition. Since 1904, the Antiquities Collection was housed here, which was relocated around 1942. After the building's reconstruction, the Antiquities Collection's exhibits were again housed here.