Although it was founded by decree of Prince Milan Obrenovic on 10th August 1878, the museum was not opened to the public until 1904. Its original location was a small octagonal building above the Roman well in the Upper Town. After being destroyed in the First World War, the museum was reopened on 2nd April 1937 in two buildings and a barracks in the Upper Town of the Belgrade Fortress. During the Second World War, the museum collection remained in Belgrade and the Germans took away some very rare and valuable objects. At the end of 1944, the museum started working again. On 20th October 1961, a new museum exhibition was opened in the renovated building of the former Military Geographical Institute, which presented the military history of the Yugoslav peoples from their immigration to the Balkans to the 20th century. This exhibition has been preserved to this day, with minor changes. The collections of the Military Museum include: weapons, uniforms, flags, decorations, archival documents, works of art, photographs, scale models and more. As well as being inside the building of the Military Museum, part of the exhibition is also located outside in the open air.