Vojni muzej

The museum was founded by the Decree of Prince Milan Obrenović IV on August 22nd 1878 on preposition of Minister of Army, colonel Sava Grujić. It was yet another manifestation of celebrating Serbia's Independence. First permanent display was opened in 1904 according to 100th Anniversary of First Serbian Uprising and as a part of King Petar's Coronation Ceremonies. Museum was then placed in a humble building from Turkish period, just beside the Roman Well. Soon after the foundation, Museum has entered the Europe by participating on the Balkan Expo in London in 1907. There, with around 100 carefully chosen objects, Museum had attracted the attention of London public and it was described in local newspapers.

Museum’s building was demolished in First World War, and collections were mostly destroyed or were seized by occupation troops. Again more than two decades had past before the new Display has been opened. King Aleksandar I Karadjordjević issued a Decree of Founding the Military Museum in Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Brigadier Vojislav Vuković, majordom of Royal Court became a director of Military Museum. Systematical collecting of objects started and numerous donors, former soldiers and their descendants responded. Their names were signed in a special „Golden Book“, work of a famous Russian artist Vsevolod Guljevič. The book is still being kept in the Military Museum. New permanent Display was opened in 1937 in two buildings of which one is today a residence of City Bureau for Preserving of Monuments. During the Second World War collections suffered new devastation. However, according to the program of occupation troops, some cultural institutions with military Museum among them continued their work during the occupation. Collecting of objects and their preserving was main care for museum staff. Allied bombing of Belgrade in 1944 brought new destroying of museum buildings and collections. In new conditions, after the Second World War, new work on collecting objects started, especially from the previous war. Also adaptation of Display began in accordance to new ideology. Museum collections were significantly enriched, especially with objects from War and Revolution, and Military Museum became an important institution of new country. Great attention was given to acquisitions, expert personnel, researching, archaeological excavations and preparing of new display in which beside museum experts, many prominent historians, archaeologists, architects and various artists participated. New display was opened in 1961 by president Josip Broz Tito. All important foreign delegations in Yugoslavia were guests of Military Museum. Museum organized large number of various exhibitions; edited several memorial complexes and commemorative rooms; issued several monographies, catalogues and other publications. Museum participated in symposiums and similar conferences I country and abroad. Special attention is given to acquisition of new objects and forming of collections. Today, Museum has around 33.000 objects in 15 collections and very impressive photo collection with over 100.000 photographs. Museum has special library with over 15.000 titles from areas of History, History of Art, Archaeology, Museology and other similar branches of Science and with more than 6000 magazines.

Military Museum is organizational unit of the Ministry of Defence. It is incorporated in Tradition, Standard and Veterans Department of the Human Resources Sector.

The Military Museum consists of:

• Department of Museology,
• Department of General Affairs
• Security Department
• Group for logistics and inf.
• Financial Management Group.

Present residence of Military Museum on Belgrade Fortress was built in 1924 as a residence of Military Geographical Institute. Plans were made by Russian emigrant, architect Vasilyev. In 1926, new building appeared on postcards of Kalemegdan and Belgrade Fortress. Because of the great devastation suffered by Military Museum residence during the Second World War and its small capacities for growing collection funds, it was necessary to find a new building. In 1955, Military Geographical institute moved into modern building and it was decided that the old one should be given to Military Museum. It was the most proper solution because of the fortress ambient that suited the thematic of the Museum. Large are of the building (1600 m2) was a good foundation for new permanent display and basement rooms were excellent for depots and conservation workshops. Adaptation of the building was led by well known architect, Djuka Kavurić, and it lasted from 1956 until 1959. Entire building, with certain enlargements, was adapted for specific needs of the Museum, according to modern standards. Since 1959 Military Museum resides in remarkable building that is one of landmarks of Belgrade Fortress.

The museum preserves archival and other collections:

• the Archeological Collection
• Collection of West-European Weapons and Equipment
• Collection of Handicraft Weapons from the Balkans
• Collection of 19th Century Weapons until 1918
• Collection of Decorations
• Collection of Military Flags
• Collection of Uniforms
• Collection of Weapons from 1918 until 1945
• Collection of Weapons since 1945
• Art Work Collection
• Photo documentation
• Archival collection

www.muzej.mod.gov.rs