National Military Museum, Bucharest

The King Ferdinand I National Military Museum is a distinguished cultural landmark in Bucharest, established on December 18, 1923, by King Ferdinand I himself. The museum is housed in a grand building completed in its current form in 1998 after being relocated to this site in 1988. Spread across nine floors and covering over 22,150 square meters of indoor halls plus outdoor display areas, the museum is divided into seven distinct pavilions showcasing everything from ancient weaponry to Cold War armaments.

Upon entering the museum, visitors first explore the General Military History Pavilion, which offers a chronological journey through Romania’s martial past-from prehistoric artifacts and Dacian-era arms to medieval armor and modern 19th-century military campaigns. The adjacent halls display an impressive collection of over 900 firearms, 100 uniforms-including royal and field marshal attire-historic banners, medals, and ceremonial artifacts.

One of the museum’s highlights is its outdoor arms park, where tanks, armored vehicles, artillery pieces, anti-aircraft guns, rocket launchers, and aircraft-including early Romanian aviation replicas like Aurel Vlaicu’s designs and World War II-era IAR-80 fighters-are displayed up close. The aviation pavilion also features engines, avionics, and a replica of Henri Coandă’s pioneering jet-plane.

For visitors, the museum offers an immersive, educational, and visually compelling introduction to Romania’s military heritage. It’s just a short walk from Gara de Nord and easily accessible via bus and tram. With affordable tickets ranging from 1–4 €, free admission for children under five and veterans, it's an ideal experience for history fans and families exploring Bucharest.