Lock and load with Netherland’s National Military Museum
Love military history? Do you have a penchant for jetfighters, attack helicopters and tanks? If you’ve answered yes to all, then the National Military Museum (NMM) in Soesterberg, should be on top of the list the next time you visit the Netherlands. Arguably the most significant and popular military museum in Europe is preparing itself for an influx of visitors following its roll-out of exhibits in the next few years.
Carving a niche for itself by highlighting the role of the armed forces in the Netherlands in the past, present and future, the museum illustrates this role by means of stories, activities and topical exhibitions that live long in the memory. Alongside six themed areas where the story of the army and air force is told by means of modern museum presentations, there is also a huge presentation area in which many impressive collection pieces are on display, such as aircraft, tanks, armoured vehicles and helicopters.
Additionally, the museum is also gearing up to present a series of themes and exhibits to entice visitors over the next few years…
2016: The Year of the Tank
The tank has been around for 100 years. The NMM will be displaying 'Tank! Back to the future', an art exhibition by Fernando Sánchez Castillo, which includes a sculpture of Tankman. The museum has also arranged for extra tanks to be on display at the Arsenal and they’ve scheduled a brilliant tank event on 27 and 28 August as well.
2017: A Tribute to Genghis Khan
The legendary Mongolian ruler built an empire on horseback. The NMM will be the first museum in Europe to host this exhibition and trace back Khan’s journey and history. Using unique and rare top pieces from Inner Mongolia, the life of Genghis Khan and his descendants will be illustrated.
2018: William of Orange
From nobleman to warlord to freedom fighter! In 2018, it will be 450 years since the outbreak of the Eighty Years' War. The exhibition will demonstrate that one of the most famous Dutch people in history played an important role in terms of warfare and the military.
2019: The Cold War Era
In 2019, NATO will celebrate its 90th birthday and it will be 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, which marked the end of the Cold War. It will also be 25 years since the Americans left the Soesterberg airbase. Plenty of reasons to focus on a recent period of history: the Cold War.
