Off to the museum

The museums and military historical collections of the Bundeswehr counted approximately 830,000 visitors in 2024 - compared to just under 800,000 the year before. Approximately 440,000 (2023: 406,000) of these visited a military historical collection, a teaching collection, or a regional exhibition.

In addition to the Military Historical Museum (MHMBw) in Dresden and Berlin-Gatow, there are more than 110 collections with exhibitions in the Bundeswehr's facilities. These collections are grouped together with the MHMBw in the Museums and Collection Network of the Bundeswehr. More than 260,000 historical objects are stored here and displayed in exhibitions: equipment and gear from field cutlery to combat aircraft, documents, images, and film materials related to the history of the military and society, partly since the 19th century, but mainly since the founding of the Bundeswehr in 1955 up to the present day.

The MHMBw is the lead museum: it advises the collections and offers further training. Together with the ZMSBw (Center for Military History and Social Sciences of the Bundeswehr), it provides museum and exhibition expertise. The ZMSBw is responsible for implementing, monitoring, and managing the strategic directives of the Federal Ministry of Defense in the museum and collection sector. This is done in close exchange with the collection officers of the sectors. The record number from last year was determined in the annual evaluation of the museum and collection sector of the Bundeswehr conducted by the Center for Military History and Social Sciences of the Bundeswehr. For this, all institutions received a comprehensive questionnaire.

Knowledge, Tradition, and Identification

Each of the 114 collections of the Bundeswehr has the task of supporting the historical-political education of the responsible agency and the Bundeswehr. There are also tasks related to the training of troops, public relations, and the foundation of traditions. In this way, the museums and collections play an important role in the personality development of the Bundeswehr and for internal leadership. Furthermore, they offer the associations and agencies that operate them places for tradition care and support identification with the mission and performance of the troops. Many also serve as places of learning and remembrance and, due to their representative character, provide an opportunity for the regional public to take a look behind the barracks fence.

Accessible On-Site and Online

Since spring 2024, all collections of the museum and collection sector of the Bundeswehr are represented online: On the interactive collection map on the ZMSBw's website, there is a brief overview and information about the exhibitions and collections. The museums and collections offer photos, contact details, and information on visiting opportunities there.

Further information on the Website of the ZMSBw.