Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr

Description

Since its reopening in autumn 2011, the Military History Museum of the Bundeswehr has been one of the most significant history museums in Europe. At the center of the exhibition are people and the question of the causes and consequences of war and violence. Different viewpoints, perspectives and fates are reflected in the more than 10,000 exhibits, which testify to many moving stories. The historical objects and documents form the essential building blocks of a cultural history of violence. They are displayed in breathtaking architecture. During a multi-year renovation, the American star architect Daniel Libeskind expanded the old arsenal building in Dresden’s Albertstadt with a striking steel wedge. This symbolically recalls the bombing of Dresden in the Second World War. At the same time, Libeskind’s unique new structure breaks through the intimidating façade of the historic 19th‑century military building. The resulting patterns of light and shadow powerfully allude to Germany’s turbulent military history. The old wings house, in three halls, a chronological tour through German military history from the late Middle Ages to the present. Museum education stations offer entirely new approaches to history, such as a work by scent artist Sissel Tolaas on the smell of decay and mud in the trench fighting of World War I. Interactive multimedia stations deepen selected topics. In the new building, visitors encounter a thematic cross‑section of German military history. Twelve exhibition areas present many different and surprising aspects of selected themes, such as “War and Play” or “Military and Language.” Art installations complement the exhibition and leave lasting impressions. For example, “Love and Hate” by Charles Sandison or “The Hiroshima Thank You Instrument” by Ingo Günther interact with viewers and even make them part of the artwork. The Military History Museum of the Bundeswehr aims to open spaces for reflection. It sees itself as a forum for engaging with military history and for discourse about the role of war and the military in the past, present and future.

Military History Museum of the Bundeswehr / Olbrichtplatz 2, 01099 Dresden 

www.mhmbw.de 

Opening hours: daily 10:00–18:00 / Monday 10:00–21:00, free admission from 18:00 / closed on Wednesdays 

Attention: new opening hours apply from 1 January 2027!