National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg

National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg is located in the small town of Diekirch.

Luxembourg, a tiny country bordered by France, Germany, and Belgium, has a fascinating and tumultuous history. Due to its geographical position, the major European powers didn’t pay much attention to their small neighbour. As a result, Luxembourgers have first-hand knowledge of violence and the struggle for freedom.

In the article below, I’ll delve into the museum’s history, where artefacts and memorabilia related to war and violence are preserved. I’ll also provide historical context for its establishment. Additionally, I’ll share insights on who would find the National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg most captivating. As always, I’ll include some tips and information to enhance your visit to this intriguing place.

National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg and the Great Ardennes Offensive

National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg was established through the initiative of private collectors, enthusiasts, and individuals passionate about military history and how weapons and the fight for freedom shaped their country.

Essentially, the entire museum narrates the story of armed resistance against fascist Germany during World War II. A significant portion of the Luxembourg museum is dedicated to the Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive. This was a true struggle between good and evil, fought at the turn of 1944 and 1945. It also marked the final major offensive by German forces in that war.

The goal of the Nazi offensive was to divide Allied troops and separate British units from American ones. The next step was to capture Antwerp and break the divided Allied forces by attacking from both sides simultaneously. The Germans believed that such a victory would prompt Western nations to engage in peace negotiations, allowing Germany to salvage the remnants of its power.

Although the offensive ultimately ended in defeat, it initially caught the Allies off guard and forced them to commit reserve forces to halt its progress. Simultaneously, the German army suffered such significant losses that it no longer had the combat capabilities to effectively engage Allied forces, especially when the Soviets launched their offensive in early 1945.

Interestingly, the Battle of the Bulge was the largest battle fought by the United States outside its territory. As history tells us, the Americans seemed to relish this victory, as subsequent major conflicts around the world involved their presence.

National Military Museum in Luxembourg and its history

National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg was established through the initiative of enthusiasts of military and historical matters. Luxembourg has been the stage for many battles, and nearly every war fought in Europe has left its mark on the history of this small country. It’s no wonder that veterans, enthusiasts, and military collectors often gather here.

The idea of creating an institution to commemorate the bloody events of history emerged as early as the 1960s. However, it wasn’t until 1984 that a group of passionate individuals brought the first, still modest museum to life. Over the years, this museum has grown significantly. Initially named the Historical Museum of Diekirch, it quickly gained success after opening its doors. The city of Diekirch generously provided the entire complex of an old brewery located on the outskirts of the town.

Several years later, the National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg became a member and one of the founders of the Belgian-Luxembourg Association of Battle of the Bulge Museums. Additionally, it partnered with the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, United States. Thanks to this collaboration, portions of their collections are exchanged for special and temporary exhibitions. As a visitor, you can explore expanded collections and exhibits that belong to other museums as well.

National Military Museum in Luxembourg sightseeing

Exploring the National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg is a delight for anyone interested in military affairs and the history of armed conflicts, especially those from the period of World War II. The museum boasts an extensive collection of exhibits—so much so that, at times, it feels as though the museum authorities squeezed in most of them just to make them fit. From what I know, a significant portion of the collections still resides in storage and is occasionally rotated with the currently displayed items.

Upon entering the museum, the lack of space immediately catches your eye. The tight quarters, divided into nooks and crannies, narrow passages, and small rooms, create an unsettling atmosphere closely aligned with the museum’s theme. Every available corner is literally filled with exhibits. While this layout may seem chaotic, it effectively contributes to the ambiance of wartime tumult. Personally, I found it intriguing, although I’ve heard that some visitors experienced an uncomfortable sense of claustrophobia.

Outside the museum, you’ll find an interesting display of armoured vehicles, both German and Allied. Among them are tanks like the Sherman Medium Tank M4, a medium tank produced by the United States during World War II and widely used in various variants by Allied forces.

Another fascinating tank you’ll encounter while exploring the National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg is the M47 Patton, also of American design. Right next to it stands the M24 Chaffee, a tank manufactured by the American company Cadillac. A significant challenge with these tanks was their similarity to the German Panzer II, leading to instances of friendly fire.

The museum houses an impressive array of historical combat equipment: tanks, artillery, combat vehicles, cars, and trucks. While the largest machines stand outside the museum buildings, a considerable amount of equipment is housed within the former brewery. If you pay close attention, you’ll discover genuine marvels.

The smallest part of the museum is the one devoted to the armed forces of Luxembourg, from the founding of the Grand Duchy to today. Here you will find old weapons, armour as well as weapons and equipment currently used in the local army. I especially recommend having a look at the collections devoted to communication on the battlefield. There you will see old, primitive radio equipment and its development up to today’s laser communicators.

The National Military Museum in Luxembourg has impressive life-size dioramas

National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg allocates nearly three thousand square meters to impressive life-sized dioramas depicting dramatic events and crucial situations that unfolded during the Battle of the Bulge. These dioramas portray both soldiers and civilians caught up in the bloody and ruthless war.

Within these dioramas, you’ll find scale models of actual locations and lifelike figures surrounded by military equipment, ammunition, weapons, and everything that accompanied soldiers during the battle. Personal belongings of combatants from both sides make a significant impact. Many of these items were donated by German soldiers who, even after the war, actively participated in commemorating those events. After all, on both sides, people often followed orders and fulfilled their military duties.

For me, the most captivating re-enactment was the diorama depicting the crossing of the Sure River near Diekirch on January 18, 1945, by units of the 5th U.S. Infantry Division. The scene features a forest, snow-covered trails, and military equipment sinking into soft ground. It’s a remarkable portrayal—you can practically witness the soldiers’ struggle as they push the boats across the river, all while under fire from the opposite bank. It’s difficult to tear your eyes away from such a vivid depiction.

National Military Museum in Luxembourg, practical information and tips for visiting

As I mentioned earlier, Luxembourg is a small country, so it’s essential to be mindful of the limited space. Finding parking can be quite challenging, especially considering that Luxembourg tops the list of countries worldwide in terms of cars per person.

The same holds true for the town of Diekirch, where the National Museum of Military History in Luxembourg is located. When we visited during late autumn—the perhaps least touristy time in this part of Europe—we still had quite an adventure finding a parking spot within a reasonable distance of the museum. The museum itself doesn’t have a car park, so you’ll need to look for street parking in the surrounding area.

Keep in mind that all parking spaces are paid, but Luxembourg law prohibits charging for parking outside city limits. Since the museum lies just on the outskirts of Diekirch, I recommend searching for parking beyond the town, especially during the tourist season.

Moreover, be aware that the museum’s interior is tight, with narrow passages and small rooms that were once part of a brewery. I’ve seen children feeling uneasy in the dimly lit, narrow corridors. Individuals with claustrophobia might also find it a bit unsettling.

• The local name of the museum is: Musée National d’histoire militaire Diekirch.
• The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
• The ticket price is only 5 euros, and that means it’s an excellent price.
• Official website of the museum
• You can visit the museum with dogs, which is good news.
• Museum address: 10, Bamertal L-9209 Diekirch, Luxembourg.
• The duration of the museum visit is about 2 hours (I could perform there all day, I could).
• It is possible to organize an expedition along the Battle of the Bulge trail to endangered places near the museum, including Wiltz, where the bloodiest battle took place during the attacks of German troops.
• There is a shop in the museum where you can buy not only books, photos and souvenirs, but also some exhibits. Uniforms, military equipment, patches, and even some weapons are for sale. I liked the soldier’s winter outfit from the beginning of 1949 to 1965, just like it was made for only 99 euros. Unfortunately, not how to dig deeper.
• In the museum, no one bothers you when you touch any of the exhibits, so children will be happy.

To sum up my visit to the National Military Museum in Luxembourg, I believe that this attraction is worth visiting, especially since the ticket cost is basically a symbolic amount. I think the next time I pass through Luxembourg, I’ll probably stop by again.

National Military Museum in Luxembourg facts, information, and curiosities

• The National Military Museum in Luxembourg was established in 1984.
• The museum is located in the buildings of the former brewery in Diekirch.
• The purpose of establishing the museum was to commemorate the fight against fascism during the battles of World War II.
• Most of the space in the museum is devoted to the great German offensive in the Ardennes.
• The museum collects huge amounts of uniforms, weapons, ammunition, and all kinds of military equipment.
• The most interesting part of the museum are dioramas depicting decisive moments in the Battle of the Bulge.
• Dioramas on a scale of 1 to 1 occupy over 3,000 square meters.
• An fascinating part of the collection are original maps and photos.
• At the National Military Museum in Luxembourg, you will also see equipment and memorabilia remaining from the Luxembourg army from the turn of the last few centuries.

Polish version