The museum building is constructed using 35,000 square meters of steel and glass, designed to minimize its visual impact on the surrounding nature.
The grounds of the museum are part of the former Soesterberg Air Base, which was the first military airfield in the Netherlands, established in 1913.
The collection includes the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which served as the workhorse of the Dutch Air Force for decades.
A life-sized, high-tech interactive simulation floor allows visitors to perform military exercises.
The museum houses a rare collection of weaponry spanning from medieval swords and cannons to modern-day missile systems.
The surrounding 'Park Vliegbasis Soesterberg' is a protected nature reserve, home to rare flora and fauna that thrive in the former runway gaps.
The building was designed by the architectural firm Felix Claus Dick van Wageningen Architects.
The Nationaal Militair Museum (NMM) is the primary institution for Dutch military history, located on the historic grounds of the former Soesterberg Air Base. The museum features a massive, glass-walled structure designed to blend into the surrounding forest and heathland. Its central exhibition space, the 'Arsenaal,' showcases a vast collection of tanks, armored vehicles, and aircraft. The museum covers the evolution of the Dutch armed forces from the Roman era to contemporary international peacekeeping missions. Interactive displays allow visitors to experience flight simulations and tactical military challenges. The facility also houses the Royal Netherlands Air Force collections. The architecture emphasizes transparency and sightlines, providing views of the original runway and historic hangars outside. It operates as both a museum and a research center for military heritage.
The elevated viewing deck inside the museum that overlooks the vast 'Arsenaal' display floor.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, as the museum grounds and the surrounding nature park cover a significant area.
Download the museum app before arriving for guided audio tours and extra digital content during exhibits.
Combine your visit with a walk or cycle through the adjacent nature reserve to see remnants of old airbase infrastructure.
Do not attempt to walk across the active-looking runway markings in the nature reserve, as some areas are strictly off-limits for ecological protection.
Closed on Mondays except during Dutch school holidays.
