19 Inspiring War Memorials Around the World

War memorials are often a buildings, monuments, statues, or other edifices that honor those who fought, were injured, or died in a war. They can also be a location, such as Normandy in France. As you visit famous war memorials around the world, you gain a greater appreciation and respect for those members of the military from the past and in the present.

Each memorial is unique, significant and serve as historical remembrances and touchstones that link the past to the present.

War Memorials Around the World

My husband, Chris, and I have always had a fascination and reverence for war memorials, specifically those related to World War II.

It should be no surprise then, that on many of our trips we do a Google search of war memorials in the city or country we plan to visit. Over the past eight years, there are a number of moving war memorials, museums, and cemeteries we have visited around the world.

1. International War Museum Holocaust Exhibit in London, England

The International War Museum’s Holocaust Exhibit was sobering yet frankly one of my favorite visits in London. 

Photos were not allowed inside the exhibit, so I had to be content with a few exterior pictures. Chris and I spent a couple of hours reading all of the exhibits and watching films. I don’t think we spoke to each other the entire time as we solemnly toured. As we were leaving the building upon closing, we noticed a piece of the Berlin Wall on the grounds. The message etched on the wall of “Change Your Life” seemed especially apropos.

2. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, New Zealand

Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War is an amazing exhibit in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa designed by Peter Jackson (creator of the Lord of the Rings movies which were filmed partially in Wellington as well as in surrounding areas). 

The exhibit shares the story of the Gallipoli campaign of World War I. This land-based strategy of Allied ships hoped to knock Ottoman Turkey out of the war and allow ships to pass through the Dardanelles and capture Constantinople (modern day Istanbul).

The exhibit follows the lives of eight New Zealand men who participated in the campaign.

The soldiers in the exhibit were huge, perhaps ten feet tall, and complete in every detail, down to hairs on the back of their hands. It was a sobering, impressive exhibit, and we learned a lot about the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and the Gallipoli war.

3. Bataan Death March Memorial Site and Concentration Camp in Capas, Philippines

These memorial monuments built by the Philippine government serve as a memorial to allied soldiers who died after the Bataan Death March at Camp O’Donnell during World War II. Allied prisoners were housed in the former concentration camp on this site.

As our family stopped at the memorial after hiking to Crater Lake at Mt. Pinatubo, we were taken aback by the sheer number of names of soldiers that were etched on the walls.

Official troop count on Bataan (April 13, 1942): 74,800 Filipinos and 11,796 Americans
Death Marchers (April 9 – 15, 1942):  60,600 Filipinos and 9,900 Americans
Estimated Defenders who reached Capas:  45,692 Filipinos and 9,300 Americans

West and East Coast Memorials in the US

4. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC

Chris and I took all three of our girls to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.

Our youngest was eleven at the time and was not excited in the least to be visiting the museum. She has a tender heart, and we knew that it would be hard for her to see, but we also felt it important that all of our children learn about the time in history when mankind sunk far below acceptable levels of decency and human kindness.

The museum opened at 10:00 am which allowed us an hour to see some of the extra exhibits before entering the main portion for our scheduled time. We walked through Daniel’s Story exhibit which followed the harrowing experience of a young Jewish boy at the beginning of the Holocaust. Daniel kept a journal of his experience and shared the dismay at moving from a lovely home to the ghetto, of being ostracized, of life changing so immensely. 

It was the beginning of a hard and sobering morning for us all but especially for our youngest as this was really her first introduction to Hitler and concentration camps.

I have always had a sympathetic fascination with the Holocaust. I had heard about the shoe exhibit at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, but when I finally walked around the corner and took in all of the shoes (which were just a very small portion of all that were collected), I was overcome with tears.

This really happened. It was senseless. It was inhumane.

We spent many hours in this war memorial, feeling overwhelmed at the end. For Kristen’s sake, we hurried through the end a little faster than we might have otherwise. Her tender heart just couldn’t take any more.

5. Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Washington, DC

The Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial is one of the East Coast memorials that honors members of the US armed forces who fought and died in the Vietnam war.

Our girls found the name of one of their Grandpa’s friends on the wall. It was a touching memorial, especially with the little mementos left along the way.

6. United States Marine Corp Memorial in Washington, DC

After spending the afternoon at Arlington National Cemetery, our family walked along Sherman Way to the US Marine Corp Memorial. This war memorial is dedicated to the fallen marines from all wars and to other servicemen who fell fighting alongside them.

It is an emotional feeling to stand on this hallowed ground.

7. World War II Memorial in Washington, DC

The World War II Memorial is a magnificent structure of granite columns surrounding a pool with cascading fountains.

The memorial honors not only the 16 million members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America who have served but also those who give the ultimate sacrifice along with their families and friends at home who support them.

8. Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia

Word to the wise, if you are taking the metro to Arlington National Cemetery, don’t try to take pictures in the underground subway at the Pentagon stop. Just saying!

You will find plenty in the cemetery that is fascinating. It is the final resting place for:

• Medal of Honor Recipients
• Astronauts
• Foreign National
• Explorers
• US Presidents, notably John F. Kennedy
• Military Leaders

Perhaps the most famous tomb is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is fascinating to watch the changing of the guard.

In the sea of tombstones, my thoughts kept coming back to the idea that there was still room for more. It will continue to be filled with many more men and women who give their life for freedom.

9. Bunker Hill Monument in Charleston, Massachusetts

Have you ever climbed the stairs at Bunker Hill?  There are 294 steps.  After 50 steps, you’re legs begin to tire.  We all made it to the top though!

This is one of the memorial monuments paying tribute to the memory of the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775 across the Charles River from Boston. On this day in history, New England soldiers faced the British army where fighting took place across pasture land. The British forces claimed victory over the soldiers from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire; however, the number of casualties on both sides was staggering.

10. Unconditional Surrender Statue in San Diego, California

Did you know that the statue of the sailor kissing a woman in New York’s Time Square on V-J Day from 1945 is considered to be one of many war memorials? This 26-foot-high memorial statue stands along the shores of San Diego, California and was inspired by a famous photograph.

This statue is also quite close to the docked USS Midway in the San Diego Harbor; it is open for tours if you are interested.

11. National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, New York

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City includes both the Memorial Plaza and the Memorial Museum. The Plaza is a public space that features:

• The Memorial Glade: Dedicated to the men and women of the rescue and recovery effort.
• Two reflecting pools with waterfalls where the Twin Tower one stood.
• The Survivor Tree: Though damaged, this tree survived the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Our two oldest girls were both under 2 years of age in 2001 and our youngest wasn’t even born. Learning about the 9/11 attacks and touring the site where the Twin Towers once stood was a history lesson into the story of the attacks, the people who died, and the people who spent countless hours in the rescue and recovery.

War Memorials in France

12. Arc de Triomphe of the Place de l’Etoile in Paris, France

You may think the Arc De Triomphe is a structure that offers fantastic views of Paris or showcases amazing views of the Eiffel Tower lit up at night after you climb the 284 steps to the top. Did you know that the arch serves as one of the French war memorials honoring those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars? You will find the names of all of France’s victories as well as the generals etched on the inside and outside of the Arc de Triomphe.

Did you also know that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I lies in the vault beneath the arch?

13. Sainte-Mere-Eglise in Normandy, France

Sainte-Mere-Eglise was an important city for the Allied soldiers during the invasion of Normandy and became the first town in France to be liberated.

An effigy of John Steele, a paratrooper with his snagged parachute that caught on the church’s spire, is maintained on the church even today. Our family spent the day Touring Normandy Memorial Monuments on one of our best 4th of July days ever.

Inside the church there are two stained glass windows that were replaced after being destroyed in the fighting. One shows the Virgin Mary surrounded by paratroopers. The original window had angels instead of paratroopers. The other stained glass shows St. Michael (patron saint of the paratroopers).

14. Utah Beach and Omaha Beach in Normandy, France

Utah Beach was the next stop on our tour of Normandy. One theory for the reason for calling the beaches Utah and Omaha was because Dwight D. Eisenhower had to come up with two code names and asked his aides where they were from—Utah and Omaha.

Surrounded by the calm beaches, it was hard to fathom the killing, the blood, the sorrow, the anger, the fear, the courage, the fighting. But it happened and so many young men willingly gave their lives. As you stare across the expanse of the beaches and imagine, you can’t help but realize that our freedoms were granted by young men pulling themselves arm over arm through the sand, by climbing hand over fist up the side of a cliff, or by jumping in the dark of night into enemy territory. Our freedoms come with a price. ~ Jolayne Kline

15. Pointe Du Hoc in Normandy, France

Pointe du Hoc is one of the significant memorial monuments honoring rangers who scaled 100 foot cliffs overlooking the Utah and Omaha beaches. The rangers successfully seized Germany artillery pieces, taking them out of commission from being used against American landing troops.

16. The American Cemetery in Normandy, France

The American Cemetery was our final stop on the tour of Normandy. As I looked over the cemetery, tears filled my eyes and my breath caught in my throat.

We viewed the wall of soldiers’ names who had never been found. From there, Misha and I wandered through the cemetery together, while Amy and Kristen wandered in another direction. Chris took his time reading plaques.

When Taps played at 5:00 pm, and the flags were lowered, all of the people in the cemetery respectfully turned to watch in silence. See below for more tips for visiting a war memorial.

German War Memorials

17. Dachau Concentration Camp

We took a bus and then a train from Munich to reach Dachau. This first Nazi concentration camp opened in 1933.

To try and give words to the feeling of Dachau, the horror, the absolute terror that must have filled the hearts of those who walked through the gate, I just can’t do the memory justice.

Dachau today is peaceful. Birds sing. The breeze blows through the trees. Yes, there are trees. I had in my mind that it was this desolate place in the middle of nowhere. But people lived safely next to Dachau in their homes, ignoring the inhumanity, the degradation, the murder, the humiliation. They lived next door and simply ignored what the trees hid.

We walked through the gate of this war memorial where the words on the gate stated, “Arbeit macht frei,” or “Work Sets You Free”. It was a lie.

Our family walked through one of the barracks together and then split up as Kristen had not wanted to visit Dachau.

Since Chris had recently been, he walked with Kristen while Amy, Misha, and I walked together. The feeling was one of somberness. We walked along paths that thousands must have walked. Only two barracks now stood; the rest of the barracks had been removed though the concrete footings still remained.

Chris’ lineage is one-fourth Jewish. I thought about that as I watched my girls follow the path to view the gas chamber and ovens.  

They like to say that Dachau was not an “extermination” camp as others were, but men, women, and families died here. They were tortured here. They were gassed.

We didn’t have a lot of time since Dachau closed at 5 pm and we had arrived at 3:30. The girls and I spent a little time walking through the museum, reading the placards, and looking at pictures. We met up with Chris and Kristen at the end of the museum experience and then walked out of the gate at Dachau.

18. Holocaust Memorial in Berlin

The Holocaust Memorial, known as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, sits in the middle of Berlin as a place of remembrance and commemoration for the up to six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It was officially opened on 10 May 2005.

The monument consists of the Field of Stelae designed by Peter Eisenman and the underground Information Centre. Admission is free.

A steles is an upright monument, slab or pillar that often bears an inscription. There are 2,710 concrete steles at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

Czech Republic Memorials

19. Prague Jewish Quarter and Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic

Our family spent one morning in the Prague Jewish Quarter touring the synagogue and cemetery.

Chris (and all men entering the display) were asked to wear a yarmulke out of respect. The synagogue was pretty sobering as a war memorial as the names of all the victims of the holocaust (shoal) from the Czech Republic were etched on the wall.  

The final section of the synagogue displayed the art from some of the children housed at the concentration camp, Terezin, before being shipped to other concentration camps. The artwork brought tears to our eyes. 

“More than 150,000 Jews were sent there, including 15,000 children, and held there for months or years, before being sent by rail transports to their deaths at Treblinka and Auschwitz extermination camps in occupied Poland, as well as to smaller camps elsewhere. Less than 150 children survived.”

The History of Terezin

Next to the Pinkas Synagogue in the Prague Jewish Quarter lay the Jewish Cemetery where approximately 12,000 headstones seemed to be haphazardly placed. However, it is speculated that upwards of 100,000 individuals are actually buried there. 

Jewish custom forbids the removal of old graves; it is possible that the graves are stacked 12 deep in some places. The dead are simply stacked one on top of the other with new dirt being brought in for additional burials.

Tips for Visiting a War Memorial

• Be respectful of all memorial monuments.
• Be respectful of other visitors.
• Do not engage in rowdy, loud or obnoxious behavior.
• Do not remove anything from war memorials.
• Speak quietly.
• Do not climb on memorial monuments, play games or sports, run, or have picnics.
• Enjoy your picnics in designated areas.
• Be respectful of the flag.
• Do take pictures.
• Do not litter (practice Leave No Trace).
• Leave your pets at home unless they are service animals.
• Obey all signage.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Final Thoughts on 19 Inspiring War Memorials Around the World

Many of us are blessed to not know of war in our lifetime. Visiting war memorials during your travels helps you and I to always remember to be grateful and to not take our freedoms for granted.

Memorials also provide a sanctuary for loved ones to be remembered and honored. War memorials and monuments teach you and I about events that shaped so much of our lives today. 

There are a variety of memorial monuments around the world and they often reflect the characteristics and feelings of those involved in the planning and building. You’ll find that monuments come in a variety of forms from buildings, statues, gardens and landscapes, and even online or digital tributes.

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