The museum holds one of the largest aviation collections in Europe, including rare German aircraft from the First World War.
The buildings were originally constructed for the 1880 National Exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence.
The facility houses the 'Historical Centre of the Belgian Armed Forces', which maintains extensive photographic and documentary archives.
Visitors can climb to the top of the Cinquantenaire Arch via the museum's exhibition space to view the surrounding park.
The Armor Hall features a collection of historic artillery and heavy military vehicles spanning two centuries.
The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History is housed within the monumental U-shaped complex of the Cinquantenaire in Brussels. It preserves a vast collection of Belgian military heritage, ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day. The centerpiece is a massive aviation hall featuring over 100 historic aircraft, including rare WWI biplanes and Cold War-era jets. The collection includes extensive displays of uniforms, weapons, armored vehicles, and artillery pieces. Visitors can access the panoramic arcades of the Cinquantenaire triumphal arch through the museum to view the city skyline. It remains an active center for military research and archival preservation in Belgium.
The central aviation hall, specifically from the elevated walkways that allow for eye-level photography with the suspended aircraft.
Prioritize the aviation hall, as it is geographically separated from the main uniform and weapon galleries.
Check the museum's official website for access status to the Cinquantenaire arcades, as they occasionally close for private events or maintenance.
Do not attempt to see every single item in the archives, as the sheer volume of equipment and personal artifacts can easily overwhelm a single visit.
Closed on Mondays.
