The Canberra War Memorial is a national shrine built in the memory of all the members of the armed forces and supporting organizations who gave up their lives in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia. This memorial houses an excellent national military museum. Every year this war memorial hosts two major events The Anzac Day and the Remembrance Day attended by hundreds of people both young and old.
According to the history of Canberra War Memorial, Charles Bean was the first official World War I historian, who conceived the idea of building this museum memorial. The building was completed in the year 1941, after the outbreak of World War II. Many additions have been made since then.
The main attractions of the Canberra War Memorial are Anzac Parade, a commemorative area, a memorial building and a sculptured garden. The Anzac Parade, is a broad boulevard named in the honor of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This extends from the north shore of Lake Burley Griffin till the proper memorial building. Both the sides of the parade are bordered with a row of monuments in the memory of important military campaigns of services.
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Both the sides of the parade are bordered with a row of monuments in the memory of important military campaigns of services. The commemorative area of Canberra War Memorial, is situated in the open center of the memorial building. The 'Hall of Memory' is a tall dome shaped chapel in the shape of an octagon. The Tomb of the Unknown soldier and other monuments are inside this hall. A narrow courtyard, with a memorial pool surrounding the eternal flame is in front of the Hall of Memory.
The Canberra war memorial building is two storey building, built in the shape of a cross. The building represents Byzantine architecture. The Anzac Hall was added to the north of the original building. The top storey is dedicated to World War I and World War II. The Hall of Valor is located between the wings. A theater, research area, and a place for hosting exhibitions is located in the lower level. For the tourists there is a gift shop and a souvenir shop inside the War Memorial. The west lawn of this memorial has been turned into a beautiful sculptured garden.
The opening hours of the display galleries and the memorial shop are from 10 am to 5 pm daily and the research center of the War Memorial is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday and from 1 pm to 5 pm on Saturdays. It is closed on Christmas Day.
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