G.O.R.A. Museum
In the heart of Moscow, located in Victory Park, near the main Victory Museum building, there is a unique museum called “Main Weapons Relics of the Army”, or G.O.R.A., for short. This museum, which opened on May 5th, 2022, is based on exhibitions that were previously displayed outdoors. Its territory spans 10 hectars, making it one of the largest military historical museums in the open air. Here, visitors can see more than 400 exhibits, many of which are one-of-a-kind, and their display is accompanied by a rich historical setting. The museum is composed of nine thematic areas, each introducing visitors to different aspects of military history and technology. All exhibits are authentic historical artifacts, arranged in a way that recreates the spirit of the time and conveys the atmosphere of that era. Interactive elements, special effects, as well as models of military equipment and sculptures of participants in historical events complement the museum space, creating a real historical atmosphere. The route begins at the location “Borderline”, where events from the first months of the Great Patriotic War are reconstructed. Visitors can see a realistic-looking German tank that was found at the battlefield. Other authentic samples of enemy equipment are also on display. After walking through trenches and visiting a dugout, guests will learn about the daily life of Soviet soldiers and the conditions they faced at the beginning of the war. The next stop is “Transport”, where visitors can learn about wartime transportation. Of particular interest is an ambulance wagon that was converted into a field hospital where wounded soldiers received treatment. Also, here you can see the railway cars in which Red Army soldiers travelled to the front. Thanks to interactive effects, visitors can experience a large-scale train wreck: a falling car, accompanied by rumbling and smoke, creates the exciting illusion of a real accident. The “Tank”, “Aviation”, and “Artillery” sections are dedicated to the military equipment of the Soviet Army. Unique tanks, planes, and artillery pieces, including experimental models that survived in a single copy, are on display. These exhibits can be not only viewed, but also explored with interactive layouts that show the internal structure and operation of the equipment. “Guerrilla” takes visitors to forests where partisans lived and fought, with a reconstruction of their lifestyle, weapons, and elements that helped them survive and defeat the enemy. In the Naval section, ships, boats, and submarines are displayed on the water surface of an artificial lake with an area of over 2,600 square metres. Around the lake are coastal artillery installations and naval guns that were used to protect the sea borders. Another significant part of the exhibition is a collection of Japanese military equipment, the second largest in the world. This collection features tanks, planes, and artillery pieces seized from the Japanese army. The exhibits are integrated into the landscape and stylized to resemble the natural environment of the Far East, making this section of the museum particularly impressive. The museum also has two separate sections. The first, “Technique of Local Conflicts,” features around 40 examples of weapons used during the second half of the 20th century. The second exhibition is “Auto-Armored Vehicles”, which features about 60 iconic cars and armored vehicles from Soviet and foreign manufacturers that were created in the mid-twentieth century. The G.O.R.A. Museum is not just a collection of one-of-a-kind exhibits, but also an exciting journey through the past that allows visitors to better understand the history of the Great Patriotic War and appreciate the magnitude of the sacrifice made by those who fought for their country’s freedom.
Address: Moscow, Victory Park
