The beginning of the 20th century was marked by an extraordinary cultural and scientific fervor in Romania, and the museum field was no exception. It was a time when the desire to preserve and showcase the country’s heritage took concrete form through the founding of numerous institutions dedicated to history and education.

The origins of a century-old institution

In this dynamic context, the year 1906 marked a decisive moment. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Prince Carol’s ascension to the throne—later King Carol I—Bucharest hosted an impressive National Exhibition. Majestic pavilions were built in Carol Park to house the displays that reflected the country’s progress under his rule.

Among these, the Artillery Museum at the Army Arsenal represented the historical section of the military exhibit, aiming to present military equipment, the army’s strength, and key events from the nation’s past, particularly the battles fought for national independence.

Soon after the 1906 exhibition, several voices began to call for the creation of a National Military Museum, a permanent institution that would represent the army’s identity and serve as a tool for public education and patriotic instruction.

From proposal to royal decree

On January 19, 1914, Major Radu R. Rosetti submitted a detailed report to the Ministry of War proposing the establishment of a military section within the National Museum then being built on Kiseleff Road. 

Thanks to strong support from the ministry, Decree no. 1789 of April 22, 1914 officially authorized the creation of this military section, which was to display objects connected to Romania’s military history.

The initial collection was soon enriched between 1915 and 1916 by numerous donations. Notable among these were the weapons and projectiles collection offered by General Alexandru Tell and the flags of the civic guard battalions from Galați. However, the outbreak of World War I abruptly halted the project. 

The young military section suffered severe losses, and much of the work carried out until then was destroyed or scattered. After the war, the Romanian army swiftly reorganized itself, including in the field of museography. 

On May 12, 1919, the great historian Nicolae Iorga sent a letter to the General Headquarters proposing the organization of a military section at the Cultural League Exhibition, to be hosted in a primary school on Clemenței Street in Bucharest. 

Despite numerous difficulties, the Ministry of War appointed a commission of six officers led by Colonel Constantin Ștefănescu-Amza to oversee the organization of this exhibit.

On July 6, 1919, in the presence of King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie, the exhibition opened to the public. The military section presented war trophies from the First World War and several artifacts from the Army Arsenal that had survived the turmoil of the times. 

The exhibition closed on August 15, 1919, but its success convinced General Ion Rășcanu, then Minister of War, to create a dedicated military museum. By the end of the same year, the Ministry of Domains ceded the Palace of Arts in Carol Park to the museum for three years, and Colonel Ștefănescu-Amza was appointed its first director.

The official establishment and development of the museum

Between 1920 and 1923, extensive efforts were made to collect, classify, and catalogue artifacts, with the collection expanding rapidly thanks to both purchases and donations. To ensure a stable institutional status, the Minister of War submitted Report no. 520/1923 to King Ferdinand I, requesting the museum’s official establishment. 

Responding favorably, the King signed Royal Decree no. 6064 on December 18, 1923, which transformed the 1914 Military Section into the National Military Museum.

The museum officially opened its doors to the public the following year, operating under a provisional regulation that was definitively approved in 1928. 

In 1935, a new building for the museum library was inaugurated, and a special hall for the aviation section was added. Two years later, in 1937, an intendance section was created to document the army’s logistical history.

Unfortunately, the museum’s progress was repeatedly interrupted by misfortunes. On June 15, 1938, a lightning strike caused a devastating fire that destroyed part of the central building and many valuable collections. 

Restoration work began in 1939, but the 1940 earthquake severely damaged the structure once again. Although reconstruction was completed by mid-1942, the museum’s reopening was postponed because of the ongoing war.

Then, on May 5, 1943, the Ministry of National Defense ordered the demolition of the museum buildings, officially to make way for a major new architectural complex. In reality, it seems that the decision was influenced by German authorities seeking to eliminate symbols that recalled World War I and could foster anti-German sentiment.

Rebirth in the communist era and new relocations

After years of uncertainty, on September 15, 1950, the museum was granted a new building on Șerban-Vodă Street no. 213–217, in the former headquarters of the sports association Înainte. However, the attempt to reorganize the museum in line with the political directives of the time did not succeed. 

Thus, on October 12, 1955, the authorities allocated another temporary headquarters in the former princely residence of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, located on Nicolae Bălcescu Boulevard. Following ideological reorganization, the institution reopened on May 9, 1957, under the new name Central Military Museum.

Shortly thereafter, it was relocated again, this time to the former Infantry and Cavalry School buildings on Dealul Spirii, on Izvor Street no. 137. The museum remained there until 1984, when the massive construction of the Civic Center and the Palace of Parliament reached the area, forcing yet another move. 

By the end of 1986, the museum had been transferred to its current location—the former barracks of the 4th Ilfov Regiment no. 21, built in 1898, on Mircea Vulcănescu Street no. 125–127.

After a period of reorganization, the National Military Museum was reopened to the public on October 23, 1988, in a modern setting covering 22,150 square meters, divided into four buildings with a total of nine floors and an extensive outdoor exhibition area dedicated to artillery, armored vehicles, aviation, and naval technology.

The museum today — preserving honor and heritage

In 2006, the institution was officially renamed The National Military Museum “King Ferdinand I”, following a resolution of the Ministry of National Defense, in honor of the sovereign who had originally sanctioned its creation. 

Today, the museum stands as one of Romania’s most significant cultural and historical institutions. Its mission goes beyond the simple preservation of military artifacts—it functions as an educational and research center that connects generations and fosters understanding of Romania’s military past.

The museum’s permanent exhibits encompass all major periods of national history, from medieval conflicts to modern-day peacekeeping missions. Visitors can admire collections of weapons, uniforms, decorations, documents, and photographs, as well as impressive dioramas and models that vividly reconstruct historical battles.

Through its collections, publications, and educational programs, the National Military Museum “King Ferdinand I” embodies the continuity of Romanian military tradition, the heroism of those who defended the country, and the dedication of those who preserve its memory today. 

More than a mere exhibition space, it is a symbol of national identity, a place where history, honor, and sacrifice come together under the same roof, continuing, after more than a century, to inspire respect for the past and confidence in the future.

We also recommend: Dimitrie Guști National Village Museum: a window into Romanian traditions