Rare Vehicles And Artifacts Shine In Caramulo’s WWII Exhibition

Since opening its doors in early August, the exhibition A Segunda Guerra Mundial ao Vivo e a Cores (World War II Live and in Color) has already welcomed more than 20,000 visitors — a record for the Caramulo Museum. The impressive turnout confirms not only the growing popularity of the museum but also the public’s enduring fascination with one of the most defining chapters in modern history.

Organized to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the exhibition brings together an extraordinary collection gathered over more than two decades. For the first time, visitors can see 36 original military vehicles that served on both sides of the conflict, displayed alongside hundreds of authentic wartime objects. Together, they tell powerful stories of bravery, ingenuity, and survival in the face of global turmoil.

Covering 1,500 square meters across two buildings, the exhibition is designed as an immersive journey through the different theaters of operation. Tanks, armored carriers, and command vehicles stand side by side with motorcycles, bicycles, and even rarities like a tracked motorcycle and an amphibious Volkswagen. To push the experience further, the museum has developed an original Virtual Reality module that allows visitors to step directly into the heart of history.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture, BPI | La Caixa Foundation, the Tondela City Council, and the HISTÓRIA Channel. Open until October 19, the exhibition has already made history at the Caramulo Museum — and for anyone with an interest in military history or in understanding the legacy of the 20th century’s greatest conflict, it is a rare opportunity not to be missed.

Photo Credits: Joel Araújo and Pedro Vieira