Robert Rückel
Museum Director | Entrepreneur | Tourism Expert
Robert Rückel is a German museum director and entrepreneur with a strong track record in the realization of innovative museum concepts that have exercised a significant impact and influence on Berlin’s museum scene. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of a modern concept of history museum that appeals to a broad audience and brings historical content to life.
As the founding director of the DDR Museum Berlin, which opened in 2006, Rückel oversaw the creation and growth of one of Germany’s most successful privately run museums. Under his leadership, the DDR Museum was nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award in both 2008 and 2012. With over 500,000 visitors, it has developed into one of the city’s most popular museums.
As editor of the accompanying handbook to the permanent exhibition of the DDR Museum and a range of quizzes and games, Rückel has also contributed to the wider journalistic reappraisal of East German history. Whilst developing the DDR Museum, he was also one of the founders of Berlin Stars, the association of Berlin’s most visited attractions.
In 2016, Robert Rückel assumed management of the Spy Museum Berlin and transformed it into the German Spy Museum. Through a comprehensive reorientation of the museum’s content and design, he established it as an interactive experience of the history of espionage and intelligence services. It is now a fixture in Berlin’s cultural and educational ecosystem. In 2020, the museum was nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award.
Robert Rückel passed another milestone in June 2023 with the opening of the Deutschlandmuseum. This innovative new addition to Berlin’s museum scene takes its visitors on an immersive journey through 2,000 years of German history – from antiquity, through the Middle Ages and two world wars to the present day. Combining detailed scenography with digital technology, the Deutschlandmuseum was the first German recipient of the prestigious Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2024. Just a year after opening its doors, the exhibition had established itself in the top 10 of the 100 most popular tourist attractions in Germany.
Museums
Robert Rückel is deeply committed to promoting Berlin as both a business location and tourist destination. He is vice president of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) and chairman of the Tourism Committee of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK). He also He also serves on the supervisory boards of two Berlin organizations: visitBerlin – Berlin Tourism and Congress and Messe Berlin. As founder and later chairman of INTOURA e.V., the trade association representing the interests of Berlin’s tourist attractions, he has played a central and long-standing role in ensuring the continued success of the city’s tourist industry.
Awards
Nomination: European Museum of the Year Award (2008, 2012, 2020, 2025)
Winner: Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement (Deutschlandmuseum, 2024)
Blooloop 50 Museum Influencer
Commitment
Member of the executive committee of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK)
Vice President of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chairman of the DIHK Tourism Committee
Member of the supervisory board of visitBerlin
Opening hours
Open Daily
10-20 h
365 days a year
Address
Deutschlandmuseum
Leipziger Platz 7
10117 Berlin-Mitte
S/U/Bus Potsdamer Platz,
Exit Leipziger Platz
Car parking
Mall of Berlin car park
Entrance via Voßstraße or Wilhelmstraße
Potsdamer Platz car park
Entrance via Linkstraße Ludwig-Beck-Straße or Schellingstraße
Sony Center car park
Entry via Ben-Gurion-Straße or Bellevuestraße
Bus parking
Bus parking lot
Gabriele-Tergit-Promenade/Reichpietschufer
Bus parking lot
Mauerstraße 69 / Leipziger Straße
Bus parking lot
Niederkirchnerstraße/Martin-Gropius-Bau
EV charging available – fast-charging station right in front of the museum
Right in front of the Deutschlandmuseum there is a public fast-charging station offering 300 kW ultra-fast charging, allowing you to charge your EV conveniently and very quickly during your visit. The charger is located near the entrance at Leipziger Platz 7, 10117 Berlin, and is easily accessible — perfect for visitors arriving by car.