War Heritage Institute, Belgian umbrella organization of several federal institutions, museums and sites that work on war memory
The War Heritage Institute is a museum and research center in Brussels that holds over 130,000 objects related to military history. The collection includes weapons, uniforms, vehicles, and about 130 aircraft, spanning roughly 1.200 years of history.
The museum documents Belgium's military past over two millennia, from Roman times to modern conflicts. Special emphasis is placed on key events like the Battle of the Golden Spurs, conflicts during Louis XIV and Napoleon's era, and both World Wars.
The institute carries the name Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History, reflecting Belgium's long history of military conflicts. Visitors can see how soldiers and civilians lived across different periods, from medieval armor to modern aircraft.
The institute is located in Parc du Cinquantenaire and is easily accessible by public transportation, especially by tram line 81 at the Merode stop. The site is wheelchair accessible with adapted restrooms and facilities for visitors with mobility needs.
The institute maintains a War Dead Register documenting Belgian soldiers who fell in various conflicts. These records show their lives before and during war, making the human side of conflicts visible to visitors.
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