According to German media, several works of art and ancient artifacts in four galleries on Berlin's Museum Island were vandalized on October 3. A greasy substance was poured on 63 exhibits, including an Egyptian coffin, stone sculptures and paintings at the Pergamon Museum, the Museum of Islamic Art, the Alte Nationalgalerie and the Neues Museum.
The damage is believed to have been caused by a water gun or a syringe containing lubricant.
The vandalism is linked to conspiracy theories that have been circulating in Germany recently. One conspiracy theory claims that the Pergamon Museum is the world's center of Satanism because it houses a replica of the ancient Greek Pergamon Altar.
Pergamon Altar
Famous German vegan chef Attila Hildmann, who is also a proponent of the far-right conspiracy theory, recently posted messages on social media claiming that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is using the Pergamon Altar for “human sacrifice”.
With the Pergamon Museum closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Hildmann said the ancient Greek Altar of Pergamon is "the center of Satan worshipers and Corona criminals around the world."
An antique was spilled with oil.
Police in Berlin are now appealing for witnesses who can identify the attacker.
Since June, when the Pergamon Museum was closed, conspiracy theorists have stood outside the steps of the Altes Museum and propagated to the community that the Pergamon Altar is for performing black magic and the Museum is a hideout for "Corona criminals" and Satan worshipers.
Museum Island in Berlin
Museum Island (Museumsinsel) is the name of the northern half of the island Spreeinsel in the river Spree in the central district of Mitte, Berlin. It is known as a collection of internationally significant museums, all part of the Federal Museums Berlin, located entirely on the northern part of the island. Museum Island has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
