The New PETRI Berlin – Archaeology in the Heart of the Capital

A Center for Archaeology, History, and Research

In the historic center of Berlin, a new cultural facility is taking shape: PETRI Berlin – House of Archaeology. Located at Petriplatz, the building combines a museum, a visitor center, and an archaeological research institution. Constructed above the excavation sites of a medieval Latin school and the historical St. Peter’s Church (Petrikirche), PETRI Berlin integrates historical findings into a contemporary urban and cultural setting.

Museum and Research Infrastructure

PETRI Berlin houses several key institutions and functions:

  • The Museum of Prehistory and Early History, formerly based in Charlottenburg Palace
  • Restoration workshops and archive facilities with archaeological finds from the Paleolithic era to modern times
  • Spaces for temporary exhibitions, seminars, and public events
  • A visitor center with educational and informational resources
  • A project space operated by the Berlin State Monuments Office, presenting current archaeological excavations

The facility is managed jointly by the Berlin State Monuments Office and the Museum of Prehistory and Early History (part of the National Museums in Berlin – Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation).

Focus on Berlin’s Early History

From June 2025, PETRI Berlin will present Berlin’s development through an archaeological lens. Among its features is an ossuary containing over 3,000 graves from the 12th to 18th centuries, uncovered during site excavations and now integrated into the exhibition.

Visible in the building are the foundations of the former Petrikirche, providing insights into the city’s earliest settlement structures. PETRI Berlin is part of a larger archaeological network in central Berlin that stretches from Museum Island to the reconstructed Berlin Palace, forming an “archaeological corridor” that connects key historical sites.

 

Architectural Approach

In 2012, the firm Florian Nagler Architekten won the design competition for PETRI Berlin. The project follows the principles of urban repair, integrating into the surrounding cityscape in both scale and appearance.

The architectural design includes:

  • A colonnade along Grunerstraße referencing nearby developments
  • Transparent access to the archaeological strata beneath the building
  • A public square that enhances the urban environment and supports public engagement

Art Integration

In 2021, artist Alona Rodeh was awarded the contract for the project’s public artwork. Her contribution includes a 6 x 6-meter floor mosaic, thematically reflecting the site’s history, archaeological methods, and the surrounding urban context.

 

Funding and Development

The construction was completed with a total budget of €34.87 million. Funding sources include:

  • 90% of construction costs provided through the Joint Task for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures (GRW)
  • Funding for outdoor and landscape elements from the Berlin Capital City Development Program (Parliament and Government District)

Opening Timeline

The structural completion of PETRI Berlin was achieved in June 2024. The official public opening is scheduled for June 24, 2025.

Summary

PETRI Berlin offers a central location for the presentation and communication of archaeological research in Berlin. As part of a broader network of historical and cultural landmarks, it provides access to key elements of the city’s early development and supports both public education and academic inquiry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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