Popular travel destinations feeling the strain of overtourism
"Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it," said writer and philosopher George Santayana. War is something that needs to be remembered and lessons must be learned from such conflicts. Museums and other historical sites can help up us do this. Visiting war museums not only transports us to another place and time, but it can also teach us about a nation's history, the atrocities of war, defeats and victories.
There are many war museums spread across the globe. In this gallery, we list some of the ones that caught our eye. Click on to get to know them.
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is the second oldest WWI museum in the world. Designated by the US Congress as the nation's official war memorial and museum dedicated to World War I in 2004, here you'll find a collection with over 75,000 items.
The Royal Navy museum is spread across various locations. In Portsmouth, you'll not also find a museum, but also three historical vessels: HMS Victory (pictured), HMS Warrior, and HMS M.33.
The Hôtel des Invalides is not just one museum, but a large complex comprising the Musée de l’Armée (War Museum), as well as the Musée des Plans-reliefs (where you'll find military models). It's worth a visit if you're in the "City of Light."
Austria's Heeresgeschichtliches Museum takes us back to imperial times and on a journey through Austria's history of armed conflicts. Pictured is the blood-stained uniform that belonged to Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who was assassinated in 1914.
This small war museum explores the Dutch experience during the occupation of the Netherlands in WWII. There is also a Resistance Museum Junior, which features stories and items that were part of children’s lives during the Nazi Germany occupation of the country.
Featuring one of the greatest aircraft collections in the world, the NMUSAF is both the oldest and the largest military aviation museum on the planet. The museum not only has an impressive collection of war aircraft, but it also has several presidential planes.
Located in the center of Brussels, this war museum has a collection ranging from the Middle Ages until today. Pictured is a reconstruction of a WWI trench.
While a trip to Russia might not be feasible anytime soon, the nation's Museum of the Great Patriotic War is worth a mention. This is the place to learn all about the former Soviet Union's involvement in WWII.
Founded in 1917, London's Imperial War Museum is one of the most popular in the world. From battleship relics to spitfires and recreations of WWI and WWII scenes, this museum is a must-visit if you're in town.
This museum takes visitors through America's history of armed conflicts, from the War of Independence until today. The facility also doubles as the US Army induction and training center for new recruits.
This sea fortress is home to six museums. It's a great place to learn about Finland's war history. You'll also get the chance to see Finland's last surviving submarine, Vesikko.
Normandy is a heavyweight when it comes to WWII history. In Sainte-Mere-Eglise, you'll find this very interesting museum dedicated to airborne operations.
Located in the Hospital Square of Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish National War Museum takes us through over 400 years of armed conflict.
Malta came under siege during WWII, but the British resistance hid in an underground tunnel complex below the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, ensuring that the island was not seized.
The Museo Storico Aeronautica Militare's collection is impressive. From a 1804 hot air balloon built by André-Jacques Garnerin, to a collection of aircraft, like this Fiat G.55 Centauro, the Italian Air Force Museum is definitely worth a visit.
This enormous WWI museum hosts the collection of historian Jean-Pierre Verney. The museum is located where the First Battle of the Marne was fought in 1914.
From replicas to interactive displays and aircraft, Warsaw Rising Museum tells the story of Poland during WWII.
The Powder Tower was turned into a war museum that tells the story of the country and their several fights for independence, including from Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
America's military and aerospace museum was founded in 1962. At Pensacola’s National Naval Aviation Museum you'll find a collection of over 150 aircraft, as well as a flight simulator, among other interesting collections.
From Greek and Roman weaponry to WWII tanks, and everything in-between, Belgrade's Military Museum is a must-see for war history buffs.
Portugal's Museu de Marinha is the place to visit to learn all about the country's maritime history. From models of ships to statues, and the history of Portuguese explorers, the Navy Museum is definitely worth a visit.
During WWII, military operations were run from an underground system of tunnels and rooms. The location where British prime minister Winston Churchill directed the war opened to the public in 1984.
With over 200 years of history, the US Marine Corps has a long and fascinating story to tell. You'll find it all in the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia.
The Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution explores the history of the People's Liberation Army. It's an important museum to understand the history of the country in general.
Located in the Akershus Fortress, this museum tells the story of the nation's Armed Forces all the way from four centuries ago until today. The museum is home to a wide variety of weapons and machinery, among others.
As a former Cold War bunker used by Albania's communists, the museum and contemporary art gallery comprises 106 rooms across several floors underground.
It can be argued that all war museums are, at heart, anti-war museums. Founded in 1925 by the pacifist Ernst Friedrich, Berlin's Anti-Kriegs-Museum is the world's first designated anti-war museum.
Not a place where you'll find weaponry and other war-related objects, but the historical relevance of Anne Frank's house deserves a spot on this list.
Sources: (CNN) (Love Exploring)
War museums everyone should visit
From Europe to America
TRAVEL History
"Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it," said writer and philosopher George Santayana. War is something that needs to be remembered and lessons must be learned from such conflicts. Museums and other historical sites can help up us do this. Visiting war museums not only transports us to another place and time, but it can also teach us about a nation's history, the atrocities of war, defeats and victories.
There are many war museums spread across the globe. In this gallery, we list some of the ones that caught our eye. Click on to get to know them.