The highly anticipated Gallery of Romanticism at the Pomeranian State Museum has been forced to cancel its planned October 16 opening ceremony due to construction delays in the final stages of completion. The museum's director, Ruth Slenczka, announced that delivery delays for the climate control system have disrupted the construction timeline, making it impossible to meet the originally scheduled opening date.
The new gallery is designed to showcase the world's most famous 19th-century painter and Greifswald's most celebrated son, Caspar David Friedrich, as its centerpiece. The exhibition will feature Friedrich's works alongside those of his contemporaries from the Romantic period, representing one of the most significant cultural additions to the region in recent years.
Slenczka emphasized that maintaining optimal climate conditions is absolutely essential for preserving the precious paintings by Friedrich and his contemporaries. "As guardians of these works, their conservation-quality preservation is our highest priority," she explained. The climate control system has now been delivered, but the installation and subsequent construction work cannot be completed by October.
Despite the setback, the museum director expressed optimism about a winter opening, stating, "We hope to present our gallery to the people of Greifswald as a Christmas gift." Meanwhile, all other preparations are proceeding as planned. The construction barrier on Museum Street has already been removed, and workers are preparing to install the ceiling canopy.
Additional exhibition fixtures, pedestals, and educational modules will soon complete the gallery space before painters apply the finishing touches, according to Slenczka. The federal government is supporting the construction of this new exhibition wing of the Pomeranian State Museum with approximately 6.7 million euros in funding.
The gallery was originally intended to open in time for Friedrich's anniversary year. In 2024, Greifswald celebrated the painter's 250th birthday with numerous cultural events throughout the city. However, construction start was repeatedly delayed due to long-unsecured financing, with work finally beginning in January 2024.
Despite the construction delays, the museum enjoyed tremendous success during Friedrich Year, welcoming more than 100,000 visitors thanks to its special exhibitions. The high attendance demonstrates the significant public interest in Romantic art and Friedrich's legacy.
Many Romanticism enthusiasts are already eagerly anticipating the gallery's eventual opening, with Slenczka noting that the museum has received numerous inquiries about guided tours. The exhibition, titled "Views into the Infinite," will begin visitors' journey in a recreated chapel where multimedia presentations will introduce them to Friedrich's poetic visual world. All other details about the gallery experience remain a surprise for now.
