Kuwait House of National Memorial Museum

Lonely Planet review

This innovative museum encapsulates the horror of the Iraqi invasion and honours the sacrifices that ordinary Kuwaiti citizens, the Kuwaiti military and the allies made in order to beat back Sadam's forces. The exhibits comprise a set of well-crafted models of the city that are illuminated in time with an audio recording in English.

Despite the nationalist propaganda, the experience of walking through the darkened corridors, lit only by simulated gun blasts and mortar attacks, and focusing on the heroism of the few for the safety of the many, has a contemporary resonance that transcends the exhibit's narrow remit. The museum is best reached by taxi and can be combined with a visit to the nearby Arab Fund Building. In case you are wondering, the state-of-the-art steel and concrete building nearby is the brand new headquarters of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.