Bezoek het Nationaal Militair Museum in Soesterberg, Utrechtse Heuvelrug | Visit the National Military Museum at Soest, Utrecht, the Netherlands
About the National Military Museum
Fortunately or unfortunately, since eternity, war and conflict have been closely related to the world we live in. Defense museums provide the story of soldiers a home and allow us to view the past, present, and future developments of the armed forces.
The National Military Museum at Soest, in the Dutch province of Utrecht, is a defense museum with the largest military collection in the Netherlands. Stichting Koninklijke Defensiemusea (Royal Defense Museums Foundation) oversees it along with the Marine Museum in Den Helder, the Marine Museum in Rotterdam, and the Museum of the Royal Dutch Military Police in Buren. From flying an F-16, driving a tank, or picking up some NATO lingo, the National Military Museum offers a variety of activities for both children and adults.
A Brief History of the National Military Museum
The National Military Museum was formed by combining the Legermuseum (Army Museum) in Delft, with the Militair Luchtvaart Museum (Military Aviation Museum) in the former airbase in Soesterberg, both of which shut down in 2013. The Army and the Air Force decided to create a joint new museum in the same location as the old Militair Luchtvaart Museum, to protect both the collections under one roof. Along with that, the joint Royal Defence Museums Foundation (Stichting Koninklijke Defensiemusea) was also established to take care of the National Military Museum along with the Marine Museum in Den Helder, the Marine Museum in Rotterdam, and the Museum of the Royal Dutch Military Police in Buren.
The Collection
The National Military Museum has the largest military collection in the Netherlands, with approximately 300,000 artifacts. The museum takes visitors on a tour through 5000 years of military history, from stone age flint arrowheads and medieval armor to modern-day tanks and aircrafts. There are also interesting artifacts from the Second World War. The rocket V2, for example, is a highlight of the collection, as it was utilized by the German Army to attack Allied forces towards the end of the Second World War.
The Arsenal, the main hall, houses all of the most important objects from Dutch military history like cannons, tanks, planes, and other exhibits. Every Saturday, between 13:00 and 15:00, a soldier visits the Arsenal to share his personal combat experiences. In addition to the Arsenal, there are six themed rooms that portray the story of the Dutch military services.
The Soesterberg Airbase
The National Military Museum is housed on the old airbase of Soesterberg, which is now a sprawling complex of abandoned runways, bunkers, an underground fallout shelter, munitions dumps, and hangars for fighter jets. The runways were mostly utilized by helicopters after the Cold War ended, and the airbase was decommissioned fully in 2008. The existing Soesterberg Air Base Park is ideal for walking or biking. A guided tour is also available for tourists.
Other places to visit near the National Army Museum
If you are visiting the National Army Museum in Soest, you may want to combine your visit with one of the following to make it a full-day family trip.
Utrechtse Heuvelrug and Soesterduinen
The Utrechtse Heuvelrug (Utrecht Hills), with its stunning landscapes, countless estates, and active cities and villages, is located between Utrecht and Amersfoort and serves as a tranquil oasis just outside the Randstad. Experience the various events and activities, and satisfy your gastronomic side in one of the many outstanding restaurants by walking or cycling through the undulating forests past majestic castles.
The Soesterduinen nature reserve is located on the north side of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. The Lange Duinen (Long Dunes) and the Korte Duinen (Short Dunes) together form the Soester Duinen, a 'living' drifting sand area. The Soesterduinen comprise a varied landscape of sand drifts, forests, and heathland. The area is a geological monument. The Soesterduinen can be visited all year round.
The Pyramid of Austerlitz
The Pyramid of Austerlitz is a 43-meter-high earthen pyramid built in 1804 on one of the highest points of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug by Napoleon's army. It is the only pyramid in the world with an obelisk on top of it. The Pyramid of Austerlitz was an inspiration for the much bigger Lion's Mound in Waterloo, Belgium.
To know more about the Pyramid of Austerlitz and how to visit it, please read our article Monument De Pyramide van Austerlitz | The Dutch Pyramid of Austerlitz located in Woudenberg (Utrecht), the Netherlands.
Visiting the National Military Museum
Address: Verlengde Paltzerweg 13768 MX Soest
Public Transport: During the museum's open hours, public transportation is available to get to the National Military Museum. Take bus #575 from Driebergen-Zeist Station or Soest-Zuid Station on Tuesday through Friday or Bus #356 from Amersfoort Station on weekends and school holidays. Check the timing of the buses on 9292.nl on the day of your journey to plan your travel.
Car Parking: On-site parking.
Opening Hours and Ticket Prices: The museum is generally open from Tuesday to Sunday, between 10:00 and 17:00 hours, and all school holidays. For the latest information on the opening hours and ticket prices, please visit their website mentioned below.
Website: nmm.nl/en
Epilogue
So that was all about the National Military Museum at Soest in the Dutch province of Utrecht. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article. And until we meet next time, I wish you merry traveling and happy shooting!
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