All war museums to visit in North Rhine – Westphalia

Explore the history and impact of conflicts at 19 war museums in North Rhine – Westphalia. These museums offer insights into military history, strategies, and the human experiences of war.

Are you interested in military history? These are the must-visit war museums in North Rhine – Westphalia:

  1. Rotkreuz-Museum vogelsang ip1

    Rotkreuz-Museum vogelsang ip

     Schleiden
    The Red Cross Museum vogelsang ip, located in the former NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang, is one of the largest Red Cross museums in Europe. It spans over 600 m² of usable space and 550 m² of exhibition space across two floors. The museum provides an overview of the worldwide humanitarian aid of the Red Cross, showcasing the organization's significant contributions to global relief efforts.
  2. National Socialism Documentation Center2

    National Socialism Documentation Center

     Cologne
    The NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne (The National Socialism Documentation Center) is a memorial site that is housed in the EL-DE Haus, the headquarters of the Cologne Gestapo. The NS DOcumentation Centre is the largest regional memorial site in Germany for the victims the Nazi regime.
  3. Walkenbrückentor3

    Walkenbrückentor

     Coesfeld
    The Walkenbrückentor is not just a historical monument, but also a cultural hub. Since 1988, it has been home to the Municipal Tower Gallery and the City Museum. The museum was thoroughly renovated and redesigned before its reopening under the name 'Das Tor' on January 29, 2012. It offers a unique insight into the city's history and culture.
  4. Aliso (Roman camp)4

    Aliso (Roman camp)

     Haltern am See
    Aliso, a Roman military establishment, was built by Augustus near the current Haltern am See. This was part of his plan to create the Roman province of Germania. Today, this historical site offers a glimpse into the past, providing an understanding of the Roman military strategies and architectural prowess.
  5. Heimathaus Verl5

    Heimathaus Verl

     Verl
    The Heimathaus Verl is a historical building that dates back to around 1615. Today, it is used by the local association of the city of Verl, located in the district of Gütersloh in North Rhine-Westphalia, for various cultural events. This includes readings, concerts, and art exhibitions, making it a vibrant hub of local culture and history.
  6. Villa ten Hompel6

    Villa ten Hompel

     Münster
    The Villa ten Hompel, located in the city of Münster in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, serves as a memorial site. It is dedicated to the offenses committed by the police and government administration during the National Socialist period. This historical site provides a unique insight into the past, allowing visitors to learn about the role of the police and government administration during this time.
  7. Gruben- und Feldbahnmuseum7

    Gruben- und Feldbahnmuseum

     Witten
    The German Mining and Field Railway Museum, located in Witten - Bommern in the Ruhr area, is a technical museum that offers a unique insight into the history of mining and field railways. The museum is situated on the grounds of the Zeche Theresia mine, which closed in 1892, and is part of the Muttental mining trail. This location not only provides a historical context for the exhibits but also offers a scenic backdrop for visitors.
  8. Wewelsburg District Museum8

    Wewelsburg District Museum

     Büren
    Wewelsburg is a Renaissance castle situated in the village of the same name in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The castle is surrounded on three sides by the village, which is now part of the city of Büren. The castle was built in its current form between 1603 and 1609 as the second home to Prince-Bishop Dietrich von Fürstenberg. Today, the castle appears as a remodeling and inclusion of earlier buildings on the site, with the first buildings erected as early as the 8th and 9th centuries.
  9. Museum Huertgen Forest 1944 and in Peacetime9

    Museum Huertgen Forest 1944 and in Peacetime

     Hürtgenwald
    The Museum Hürtgenwald 1944 and in Peacetime is situated in the scenic town of Vossenack, within the municipality of Hürtgenwald in the district of Düren, North Rhine-Westphalia. This location is easily accessible and offers a rich historical context for visitors interested in World War II history.
  10. Museum Menden10

    Museum Menden

     Menden (Sauerland)
    The Museum Menden, located in Menden (Sauerland), is a local history museum that was established by Friedrich Glunz in 1912. This makes it one of the oldest museums in Westphalia, a region rich in history and culture. The museum is a testament to the region's past, offering visitors a glimpse into the local history and traditions of Menden and the surrounding areas.
  11. Ausweichsitz NRW11

    Ausweichsitz NRW

     Kall
    The bunker, which has been preserved in its original state, is now a documentation site. Visitors can explore the bunker by appointment. This provides an opportunity to learn about the history and purpose of the bunker, as well as the living conditions of those who would have sought shelter there during a nuclear war.
  12. Eiskeller Altenberge12

    Eiskeller Altenberge

     Altenberge
    The Eiskeller Altenberge is a significant historical site in Altenberge, Münsterland, in northern North Rhine-Westphalia. It is an underground ice cellar system that was part of the former Beuing Brothers Brewery. The site is recognized as a protected monument, making it a point of interest for those interested in history and architecture.
  13. Rotkreuzgeschichtliche Sammlung in Westfalen-Lippe13

    Rotkreuzgeschichtliche Sammlung in Westfalen-Lippe

     Schlangen
    The Red Cross Historical Collection in Westphalia-Lippe is a museum dedicated to the history and work of the Red Cross. It is located in the municipality of Schlangen, in the Lippe district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The museum offers a unique insight into the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross, making it an interesting destination for those interested in history, humanitarian work, or the Red Cross itself.
  14. Resistance & Persecution Museum14

    Resistance & Persecution Museum

     Dortmund
    The Steinwache is a memorial museum in Dortmund. It is a Resistance & Persecution Museum housed in the police station Steinwache that was established in 1906. In 1933 the Gestapo took over the prison and imprisoned and tortured opponents of the Nazi regime. Between 1933 and 1945 more than 66,000 peo
  15. Zellentrakt Gedenkstätte15

    Zellentrakt Gedenkstätte

     Herford
    The Zellentrakt Memorial in Herford is a significant site dedicated to the victims of National Socialism. Established in 2005, the memorial is located in the former detention rooms of the police, which were in use from 1917. These rooms are situated in the basement vaults of the Herford Town Hall, adding a historical dimension to the memorial.
  16. Mahn- und Gedenkstätte Düsseldorf16

    Mahn- und Gedenkstätte Düsseldorf

     Düsseldorf
    The new permanent exhibition of the memorial and memorial site, Mahn- und Gedenkstätte, deals with the topic "Dusseldorf children and young people under National Socialism". Through selected biographies, it is examined how children and adolescents behaved during the period of National Socialism, how
  17. Bunker Hagen17

    Bunker Hagen

     Hagen
    The Bunkermuseum Hagen, opened in 2013, is situated in the basement of a high bunker in Hagen, North Rhine-Westphalia. This unique location provides an authentic setting for the museum, allowing visitors to experience the history of the bunker and its role during the Second World War.
  18. Osthofentor Museum18

    Osthofentor Museum

     Soest
    The Osthofentor is a significant historical structure in the Hanseatic city of Soest. It was newly erected between 1523 and 1526, serving as a city gate on the Hellweg. This green sandstone building is the last remaining of the original eight main and two secondary gates of the Soest city fortification.
  19. LWL-Preußenmuseum Minden19

    LWL-Preußenmuseum Minden

     Minden
    The LWL-Preußenmuseum Minden is a historical museum situated in the city of Minden, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It offers a deep dive into the history of Prussia, with a focus on its influence in Westphalia. The museum is housed in the former Defensionskaserne, a fortress in Minden, which adds to the historical significance of the museum.