King Ferdinand I National Military Museum
About King Ferdinand I National Military Museum
The King Ferdinand I National Military Museum was founded by decree of King Ferdinand I on 18 December 1923 and has borne the king's name since 2006. It has been housed in several buildings, among them the Palace of the Arts in Carol Park. Since 1986 it has occupied a former barracks of the 21st Infantry Regiment (IV Ilfov), built in 1898, on Mircea Vulcănescu Street, a short distance from Gara de Nord. It reopened in 1988, with four buildings and an outdoor park of military technology.
The collections show the military history of the Romanian lands from prehistory to the contemporary era, through weapons, armour, uniforms, decorations, maps, models and the personal belongings of notable figures. At the entrance to the courtyard stands the Monument to the Heroes of the 21st Infantry Regiment, the work of the sculptor Spiridon Georgescu.
What you can see
In the general military history pavilion the exhibitions follow five eras. Prehistory has archaeological landmarks from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, among them the Neolithic idol from Reșca and the bronze votive plaque of the "Thracian Horseman" from the Dacian fortress at Polovragi. Antiquity depicts Dacian civilisation and the military organisation of the Roman province of Dacia, with the representation of the goddess Dardanike from Romula and a vessel with early Christian inscriptions from the Roman fort at Copăceni.
The Middle Ages bring together Western and Eastern offensive and defensive weapons, a fragment of a bronze cannon barrel from the time of Petru Cercel, a wheel-lock pistol of 1596, models of fortifications, maps and engravings. The modern era follows independence and union, with objects linked to Alexandru Ioan Cuza, King Carol I and the generals Christian Tell, Gheorghe Magheru and Carol Davila. The contemporary era, reorganised in 2003, presents Romania's part in the two world wars, with uniforms, decorations and weapons of Kings Ferdinand I, Carol II and Michael and of Marshals Alexandru Averescu and Constantin Prezan.
Good to know
The general military history pavilion and the esplanade in front of it are open. The military technology park and the pavilions of aeronautics, armament, uniforms and carriages are temporarily closed because a covering pavilion is being built; no reopening date has been set. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Information verified on 26 October 2026.
- The Neolithic idol from Reșca and the bronze plaque of the "Thracian Horseman" from the Dacian fortress at Polovragi.
- The representation of the goddess Dardanike from Romula and the vessel with early Christian inscriptions from the Roman fort at Copăceni.
- The wheel-lock pistol of 1596 and the fragment of a bronze cannon barrel from the time of Petru Cercel.
- The objects linked to Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Carol I and the generals Tell, Magheru and Davila, in the modern era exhibition.
- The uniforms, decorations and weapons of kings and marshals in the contemporary era exhibition.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the museum is on Mircea Vulcănescu Street, ~650 m from Gara de Nord. From Unirii Square it is ~3.5 km, ~10 minutes in normal traffic, and from Henri Coandă Airport ~17 km, ~25 minutes.
Public transport: metro to Gara de Nord (M1), then ~10 minutes on foot; trains arrive at Gara de Nord, ~10 minutes on foot away. Bus, trolleybus and tram lines also run through the area (Berzei and Dinicu Golescu stops).
- Where to park
You park on the surrounding streets, for a fee. The Gara de Nord area is busy on weekdays; the metro or the train is simpler.
- Fees & discounts
Ticket for the general military history pavilion, the "Ferdinand I" Hall and the Central Hall: 10 lei adults, 5 lei seniors, 2.5 lei pupils and students. Free entry for preschoolers, children in care, people with disabilities, pupils and students of military education institutions, war veterans and veterans of operational theatres, and staff of the museum network. Professional photography and filming cost 500 lei per hour. Guided tours are booked at least 48 hours ahead, by phone (021 319 59 04, extension 154 or 157, Monday–Friday 8:00–15:00) or by e-mail, in Romanian or English; they are offered to school groups from the fourth grade up. Tickets can also be bought online.
- Rules
Exhibits must not be touched, and staff instructions are followed. Professional photography and filming are subject to a fee. Groups and guided visits are announced in advance.
- Facilities
guided tours in Romanian and English, by appointment · online tickets · virtual tour of the military history exhibition on the website
Frequently asked questions about King Ferdinand I National Military Museum
- How much is a ticket to King Ferdinand I National Military Museum?
- A ticket to King Ferdinand I National Military Museum costs 10 lei (seniors 5 lei, pupils 2.5 lei). Ticket for the general military history pavilion, the "Ferdinand I" Hall and the Central Hall: 10 lei adults, 5 lei seniors, 2.5 lei pupils and students. Free entry for preschoolers, children in care, people with disabilities, pupils and students of military education institutions, war veterans and veterans of operational theatres, and staff of the museum network. Professional photography and filming cost 500 lei per hour. Guided tours are booked at least 48 hours ahead, by phone (021 319 59 04, extension 154 or 157, Monday–Friday 8:00–15:00) or by e-mail, in Romanian or English; they are offered to school groups from the fourth grade up. Tickets can also be bought online.
- What are the opening hours of King Ferdinand I National Military Museum?
- Opening hours at King Ferdinand I National Military Museum: Monday–Tuesday closed, Wednesday–Sunday 10:00 – 18:00. 1 May – 31 October: Wednesday–Sunday 10:00–18:00, last entry at 17:00. 1 November – 30 April: Wednesday–Sunday 9:00–17:00, last entry at 16:00. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- How long does a visit to King Ferdinand I National Military Museum take?
- A visit to King Ferdinand I National Military Museum takes about 1 – 1½ hours (military history pavilion).
- Can you visit King Ferdinand I National Military Museum with kids?
- Yes, King Ferdinand I National Military Museum is suitable for children (weapons and uniforms).
- Where can I park at King Ferdinand I National Military Museum?
- There is paid parking at King Ferdinand I National Military Museum (on-street, paid). You park on the surrounding streets, for a fee. The Gara de Nord area is busy on weekdays; the metro or the train is simpler.
- How do I get to King Ferdinand I National Military Museum?
- King Ferdinand I National Military Museum is located at Strada Mircea Vulcănescu 125-127, Sector 1, București. By car: the museum is on Mircea Vulcănescu Street, ~650 m from Gara de Nord. From Unirii Square it is ~3.5 km, ~10 minutes in normal traffic, and from Henri Coandă Airport ~17 km, ~25 minutes. Public transport: metro to Gara de Nord (M1), then ~10 minutes on foot; trains arrive at Gara de Nord, ~10 minutes on foot away. Bus, trolleybus and tram lines also run through the area (Berzei and Dinicu Golescu stops).
- When is the best time to visit King Ferdinand I National Military Museum?
- The best season for King Ferdinand I National Military Museum: All year round (all year; closed Mon and Tue).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to King Ferdinand I National Military Museum, sorted by distance.
1 km from King Ferdinand I National Military Museum
2 km from King Ferdinand I National Military Museum
2 km from King Ferdinand I National Military Museum
