State Museum of Egyptian Art

For decades, the Egyptian museum was located in the Munich Residenz, but it was moved to the Kunstareal in June 2013.

A new, subterranean museum, opposite the Alte Pinakothek and reaching underneath the new structure for the University of Television and Film Munich was conceived by the architect Peter Böhm. The project was inspired by an ancient Egyptian burial chamber. Its entrance area is marked with a portal wall reminiscent of the pylon gateways to Egyptian temples. It offers some 1800 m² of exhibition space, with an additional 400 m² for special exhibitions. It is open since June 2013. The light-filled entrance hall leads to three large halls, and subsequently into smaller, darker and lower catacombs with several theme rooms such as "The Pharaoh", "Religion", "Realm of the Dead", "Beyond belief," "Egypt in Rome" or "After the Pharaohs". An atrium brings natural light into some parts of the exhibition.

The Bavarian state's collection was already founded in the 16th century by Duke Albrecht V and extended especially by Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria and King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Also private donators and the Academy of Sciences contributed to the collection. The museum is dedicated to the periods of the early, middle and late kingdoms, but also to the Hellenistic, Roman and Coptic era of Egypt.

Since 1984, the State Museum of Egyptian Art has offered a children's education program during the summer holidays. It combines a short guided tour with handicraft work that the children can take home. Since 2007 similar programs are also offered during the other school holidays. During the summer holidays and special project days (International Museum Day, Long Night of the Museums), children can complete a Treasure Hunt, answering questions about objects throughout the museum, and receive a prize for correct answers. Outside of the holidays, the museum offers an "Archaeological Backpack" based on a similar principle and that can be taken out at the front desk. Both the Treasure Hunt and the Archaeological Backpack are usually also available in English. The Museum also offers guided tours for schools on the following subjects: • Ancient Egyptian Culture • The Gods of Ancient Egypt • Funerary Beliefs • The Secret of the Hieroglyphs • Everyday and Family Life • The King and the State • Animals and their importance to the Egyptians. The guided tours cost €33 and are available in English and French as well. Since the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, schools can book a project hour in addition to guided tours.

The exhibition "ISISBLUT UND STEINBOCKHORN - Amulett und Talisman in Altägypten und im Alpenraum", an exhibition showing amulets and talismans from Ancient Egypt and the Alps, was on view from 22 July 2010 to 9 January 2011.