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Permanent exhibition

Multiple perspectives on the military, war and violence

Different perspectives

The permanent exhibition explores military history from a range of perspectives. For this reason, alongside the classic chronological exhibition areas in the old building, the Military History Museum has developed a themed tour within the modern Libeskind wedge. This thematic section examines selected topics across different historical periods.

Themed tour

The new building

In the new building, exhibits are placed within broader contexts of meaning, experience and function, organized according to overarching themes. This part of the museum is dedicated to the comparison of related phenomena, processes and memories that cannot be attributed to a single era. The exhibition design creates a critical distance from the objects on display and encourages reflection and shifts in perspective. Art installations complement the exhibition and leave a lasting impression.

Themed tour

Get an overview of the diverse perspectives on the topics featured in our permanent exhibition.

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Chronological sections

The original building

In the two large wings of the original building, three chronological exhibition sections trace developments from the late Middle Ages to the present day. The relationship between the military and society in Germany is presented against the backdrop of German military history within a broader European context.

Each chronological section features a three-tier display-case system designed to address visitors with differing levels of knowledge and experience. The outer display cases, which can be viewed from a wide main corridor, provide general insights into the defining characteristics of each era. On two additional levels, visitors can explore historical details and engage more deeply with specific topics from the respective period.

Chronological sections

Click through the timeline here

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