Top 10 Military Museums in Belgium, Belgium

Our Mission No inhabitant of the "Zwinstreek" and West Zeeland Flanders was spared repression and hardship between 1940 and 1944. This dark period in our history is the museum’s main theme. It is precisely this phase of our local past that we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren, in the hope that such war violence will not be repeated. Young people need to know that freedom has a price, a price our ancestors paid with hard currency. We must cherish freedom. This important message of peace and tolerance is given daily in the For Freedom Museum.

Visit our exhibition hall displaying Second World War vehicles and equipment Bastogne Barracks, one of the WHI sites, is situated to the north east of town, in the direction of La Roche-en-Ardennes and presents in a 2,350 m2 exhibition hall as well as in outside display a large array of Second World War track and wheel vehicles, artillery pieces and various equipment, both from the Allies and the Axis Powers. The circuit is totally secure. March/April/May/October/November: weekends June/July/August/September: from Wednesday through Sunday December: weekend 11-12 + Spring break: from 15 till 19/2 – Easter holidays: from 5 till 18/4 – Fall break: from 1 till 7/11

It's in a historic building situated in Joubiéval that the « Bulge Relics Museum » presents on several floors battlefield relics that were recovered from the battlefields of Vielsalm, Lierneux and at the Baraque de Fraiture crossroads. A didactical path through pictures, displays, vehicles and sceneries makes you relive those dark days of winter 1944 which saw US forces face mainly the elite troops of the SS panzerdivisions. Thousands of artifacts that, directly risen from that time, depict the everyday living of these men dragged by the storm of the battle. The museum will be opened from June up to September at weekends from 13 til 17 pm. It will also possible to visit it during the weeks as well as on special occasions but on appointment only. Schools : A special didactical file to be printed can be mailed in advance to teachers.

The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History is the perfect stop for history and military enthusiasts. Located in the two northernmost halls of the Cinquantenaire Park historic complex, the museum collections comprise more than 10 centuries of military and technology history, ranging from suits of armor, antique firearms and swords to armored vehicles and airplanes. Numerous paintings, sculptures, decorations, and military uniforms bring back to life the military history of this area. Admission is free. Closed on Mondays.

The December 44 Museum is located in the hearth of the Belgian Ardennes, in the village of La Gleize, where the Battle of the Bulge was fought, on the northern part of the offensive. Surrounded by American airborne, armored and infantry forces, 800 German survivors of the 1st Panzer SS, a "Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler" elite division, lead by Peiper, fled on Christmas Eve leaving behind 135 armoured vehicles including the 69 tonne King Tiger tank, still visible at the museum.The museum accurately recounts these tragic events through one of the most important collection in Europe, most of it collected on the very battlefield where it was fought.

The Ypres region was the backdrop to on of the bloodiest battles in history, 100 years ago. Now the last witness have died too, the In Flanders Fields Museum is more than ever the gateway to the First World War in Flanders. The In Flanders Fields Museum confronts the visitor with the consequences of the Great War. Old and young are faced with life and death in the Ypres front region. The exhibition with touching video projects, unique sound fragments and the most up-to-date multimedia applications immerse you in the life at the front. each visitor also receives a poppy bracelet that enables him/her to discover four personal stories of 'Joe Public' in the Great War. By logging in you can meet your peers in the war, a century ago.

Full scale reconstructions of war scenes, an extended collection of weapons, war equipment and photos make this museum to a true must-see!The chapel, in which the museum is located, dates back from the early twenties. This chapel was built directly across the Hooge Crater cemetery in memory of the many fallen soldiers on the battle fields of ‘Hooge’ over a period of 4 years. Rare military clothing of the troops, that where fighting in the ‘Ypres Salient’ (Ieperboog) are exposed in glass displays. Also you can see some full scale scenes of the Great War battle fields, very authentically reproduced. The theme of the scenes is very divers: German bunkers, British trenches and full scale horses with cavalry troops on their backs.

In accordance with the instructions of the National Security Council, you must book your visit in advance. You can do so by means of the online ticket system. See www.raversyde.be Raversyde has developed a circulation plan for both its sites, making sure visitors virtually always go in one direction and do not cross the path of other visitors. At the ANNO 1465 site, you can enter two of the four cottages; you can look inside through the windows of the other two. The rest of the museum is fully accessible save for a few minor elements. The audio guides are currently unavailable. At the Atlantikwall site, we have developed a completely new route avoiding any covered and narrow spaces. You cannot enter most of the bunkers. You can look inside several bunkers and large photo panels showing the interior of the closed spaces have been installed. Additional information panels have been installed to replace the audio guides, which are not handed out.