Academia General Militar.

From the historical point of view, there is no information on the existence of the Academia General Militar Museum either during the 1st Epoch from 1882 to 1893 when it was located in Toledo, or throughout its 2nd Epoch from 1927 to 1931 when it was placed in Zaragoza. The first known embryo of the Academia General Militar Museum goes back to its 3rd Epoch in 1947. General Santiago Amado Loriga was the Commandant of the Academia General Militar in those days, and it was him who initiated the project supported by the Spanish Head of State, the Mayor of the City Hall of Zaragoza and many other local entities. In 1947, Official Journal nº 34, in its section Organization/Museums publishes the creation of the Academia General Militar Museum, better known as "Museo de los Sitios" being subsidiary and dependent of the Army Museum. The main objective of the newborn museum was to collect weapons, illustrations and various objects related to that feat. Unfortunately in 1950 and for unknown reasons this museum was dismantled and its collections were returned to their places of origin.

In 1962, General Eduardo de Madariaga Rodríguez, as Commandant of the Academia General Militar began to forge what became the current museum. This new museum saw the light in 1964 being Commandant of the Academia General Militar, General Carlos Iniesta Cano. New premises were conditioned to safeguard all those memories related to the different military colleges and academies.

This Academia General Militar Museum Heritage, recent denomination of our Museum to be framed in the museum heritage of the Ministry of Defense, is made up of 8 halls.

The first one, "The Entrance Hall", contains the current uniforms of the Academia General Militar and the stained-glass windows with the Patron Saints from the Arms and Corps of the Spanish Army

The second hall, called "The Education Hall" is devoted to the specific contents of the Military Education from the First General Military College in Sevilla (1809) to the Third Epoch of the Academia General Militar (Present Period), with the corresponding military uniforms, some diverse curiosities, and different funds from each Academy.

The third hall, called “The Souvenirs Hall”, exhibits our own Army funds and the ones from Friendly Countries’ Military Academies as well as military uniforms from Ibero-American Cadets and from the rest of the world. Apart from that it is possible to admire a portable “X-Ray Sánchez Device”, with its different accessories of high frequency, from the Spanish inventor Mónico Sánchez. It is also possible to see both the first computer which operated at the Academia General Militar in 1976 and the different formerly used devices at the Sciences Cabinets of the Academia.

The fourth hall, called "Príncipe de Asturias Miniature Hall", exhibits the different miniatures from the First, Second and Third Epochs of the Academia General Militar, the evolution of the Spanish Flag since the Goths’ time, the evolution of the Spanish Coat of Arms from the Catholic Monachs’ time, and some display cases containing different dioramas.

The fifth hall, called "The Laureate Soldiers’ Hall" is made up of several Souvenirs from the Second and Third Epochs. There are some display cases holding small and bladed weapons, souvenirs from international organizations and military uniforms from cadets coming from other European Academies. Besides there are twenty-three San Fernando Laureate Soldiers from different Military Academies who have also been honored. Finally, it is possible to see some full dress ceremonial uniforms and a display of different headgear and decorations.

The sixth hall, called "The Arms Hall", allows to contemplate the Evolution of Light Weaponry since 16th century, as well as different weaponry used in the Spanish Civil War and even in World War II. This hall also exhibits some Military Medical Corps old tolos.

The seventh hall, called "The Room of the Sieges of Saragossa", contains historical documents referring to the Sieges of Saragossa and historical pieces like the ancient Cross of the Christ of the Sieges and a cape that Our Lady of the Pillar was wearing during the sieges to Saragossa. We can also contemplate an original signature of Napoleon and many other objects of that heroic feat, among them a portrait with the image of Agustina of Aragon.

In the eighth hall, called "The Hall of the Fallen", we can see several photographs as for instance the one of the first officer fallen in combat in each of the three Epochs of the General Military Academy, the picture of the violent terrorist attack against the bus of the Academia General Militar in 1987, the picture of the first officer killed in humanitarian mission, as well as the part dedicated to the sojourns of HM The King Don Juan Carlos I and H.M. The King Don Felipe VI at the AGM. In the south wall of the room, we will find the photographs of all the Honor Cadets who have been distinguished with such title by the Academia General Militar.

In short, we could say that, in any corner of our Museum, you can find not only a piece of history of our Academy, but also the memories, the enthusiasm and part of the life of many acquaintances of Spain.

 The visit to the Museum is guided and free, upon request.

The opening hours are from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In order to request the visit, please, contact the Office of Social Communication (OCS) of our Academy: 976 739 500.