Military History Museum Dresden

Military History Museum, Dresden - A museum in Dresden that has to be regarded as the boldest military museum ever attempted! Unlike your usual army museum with its typical glorifying slant and focus on the technological side of warfare, this museum aims at casting its net infinitely wider – and in the process does not omit the truly nasty sides of war. This approach is all the more remarkable as this is the 'official' museum of Germany 's armed forces, the Bundeswehr. Truly exceptional and not to be missed when in Dresden. > More background info > What there is to see > Location > Access and costs > Time required > Combinations with other dark destinations > Combinations with non-dark destinations > Photos More background info: The military museum in Dresden has had a long and chequered history (almost as chequered as the military history of Germany itself – although that's probably an exaggeration …). In its first inception it was simply the display of collections of weapons that formed part of the purpose-built barracks and arsenal complex in Dresden's Albertstadt suburb, then (1876) the largest such military building ensemble in the world. Initially, the exhibition of weapons was for the Saxon military itself. It was only in 1897 that it was opened to the general public. As you would expect, the approach and purpose of that exhibition was one of glorification of victories … not least to advertise military service but also to consolidate the perception of the monarchy as the rightful masters. With both the monarchy and the "glory" of war gone at the end of World War One , the museum's former purpose also seemed redundant and void. That of course changed again with the general militarization in the Third Reich , when the museum was revamped and incorporated into the new Wehrmacht administration system.