Offbeat Traveler: Humboldt Box in Berlin
The Humboldt Box opened its doors June 29. Visitors can learn about early Chinese porcelain, watch how paintings from the Silk Road are being restored and listen to music from around the world. (Shane Thomas McMillan / Associated Press)
The five-story structure is about 90 feet high. (John MacDougall / AFP/Getty Images)
Visitors browse an exhibit on Native American traditions. The Humboldt Box houses collections from museums across Berlin. (John MacDougall / AFP/Getty Images)
A visitor looks through a book in an ergonomically designed reading corner. (John MacDougall / AFP/Getty Images)
A mask of the Kwakiutl, a native clan on the western coast of Canada. The mask welcomes visitors to the Humboldt Box. (John MacDougall / AFP/Getty Images)
The modern design of the the Humboldt Box stands in contrast to the Baroque architecture of the Berlin Cathedral. (Sean Gallup / Getty Images)