Collection of Classical Antiquities
Where Aphrodite admires Cleopatra’s nose!
The most famous sculptures of Greek and Roman Antiquity are on display here as faithful plaster casts: Aphrodite born out of the sea spray, the Trojan priest Laocoon wrestling with serpents, beautiful Cleopatra, mighty Augustus. Altogether, the collection of Classical Antiquities Berne houses 230 reproductions of original sculptures
The collection of antiquities was founded in 1806 when the City of Berne acquired the sculptures for educational use in drawing classes. Nowadays they are exhibited and work as a display window of the bernese Institut für Archäologische Wissenschaften. The special experience of facing the ancient goddesses and heroes eye to eye is heightened/enriched by a fine collection of small original artefacts dating back to classical antiquity.
