The Australian War Memorial Center In Canberra

The capital of Australia is a city that was born in the 20th century. When designing it, the history and culture of the country were considered. One of Canberra’s highlights is the Australian War Memorial Center, a memorial that honors the fallen. Do you want to know more about him?

Canberra, the city that was born from scratch with a great goal

In 1913 Canberra began to rise, a city that emerged from scratch and would become the capital of Australia. Located between Sydney and Melbourne, two of the most important cities in the country, in Canberra everything you can see has been thought and organized by Australian architects and designers.

Throughout its extension there are numerous government buildings, natural areas and cultural centers. And much more, because a place of worship and tribute to all those who fought for Australia in different wars entered their plans.

What the Australian War Memorial Center looks like

Here  , homage is paid to all those who died in combat at different times. The memorial was built during the birth of the city, finishing the works in 1941. It is an architectural complex divided into different parts where the details of the military history of Australia are discovered.

Memorial altar

It is one of the first parts that you will come across as soon as you arrive. It is preceded by a walk full of statues that give access to the building, built in the Byzantine style. Once you enter, in the courtyard you will reach one of the most important areas for military history.

In the courtyard is the eternal flame.  Meanwhile, in the surrounding cloisters there are a series of bronze plaques with the names of all those who died serving the Australian nation.

This altar that honors the memory of all the fallen is the most sentimental place of the Memorial Center of the Australian War. It is not unusual to find plaques adorned with flowers that have been placed by relatives of the victims.

Another important place is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is another monument lined with mosaics and stained glass that symbolize the soldiers.

War Museum

First, you visit a museum divided into several galleries. There you can learn the details of various battles in which Australian soldiers participated. There are also collections of handicrafts and military weapons that were used in conflicts.

Along with all this, you will be able to see stories written by soldiers and relatives and numerous narrations about various events that took place in the battles.

Among the museum’s collections  are objects from the two world wars and also from the colonial era. In the museum you will even see stories about the winners of the Victory Cross, the highest recognition of the Armed Forces.

The last part of the memorial center is a research center.  In its facilities, archives and more documents of Australian history are analyzed in order to be cataloged.

Hours and how to get there

Admission to the Australian War Memorial Center is free.  You will not have to pay for it and you will have access to all its facilities. If you want to know more, you can take guided tours of different duration where you will know all the details.

The memorial is open every day of the year, except on Christmas Day. It is very well connected to Canberra’s public transport, so you can use it to get there. However, if you decide to do it by car, you can park in the designated areas.

On the other hand, from the memorial building you can see the Parliament of Canberra. It is a unique and modern building that has become another of the main tourist attractions in the city.

As you can see, in this memorial center there is a piece of the soul of Australia, hence its importance. We recommend you visit it, both the interior and the exterior gardens. But above all, remember that it is a place of respect for the fallen. Enjoy your visit and your trip to Canberra, you won’t regret it!