Akademie Der Bildenden Künste

The Akademie der bildenden Künste (Academy of Fine Arts) is an often underrated art space. Its gallery concentrates on the classic Flemish, Dutch and German painters, and includes important figures such as Hieronymus Bosch, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Rubens, Titian, Francesco Guardi and Cranach the Elde, to mention a handful. The supreme highlight is Bosch’s impressive and gruesome Triptych of the Last Judgement altarpiece (1504–08), with the banishment of Adam and Eve on the left panel and the horror of Hell in the middle and right panels. The building itself has an attractive facade and was designed by Theophil Hansen (1813–91), of Parlament fame. It still operates as an art school and is famous for turning down Adolf Hitler twice and accepting Egon Schiele (though the latter was happy to leave as quickly as possible). Audio guides are available for an extra €2, and tours (€3, in German only) take place at 10.30am every Sunday from October to June.