Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum

Harrowing museum dedicated to victims of the Derg military dictatorship

One of the most important and least-visited museums in Addis Ababa, the Red Terror Museum documents the atrocities committed by the Derg military dictatorship between 1974 and 1991. The exhibits include photographs of victims, confiscated weapons, personal items of the dead, and — most confrontingly — display cases containing the bones of massacre victims found in mass graves.

The museum opened in 2010 and was built by survivors and the families of those killed. The English-language captions and documentary film provide context for visitors unfamiliar with Ethiopian history. This is not easy viewing, but it is essential context for understanding modern Ethiopia and why the current government's origins matter. Located near Meskel Square, it can be visited in about an hour.

things to do museum
A story
The Derg regime, which ruled Ethiopia from 1974 to 1991, carried out mass killings known as the Red Terror, targeting students, intellectuals, and perceived opponents. An estimated 500,000 people were killed. Families were made to pay for the bullets used to execute their relatives before receiving the bodies. The museum was founded by survivors and the families of victims.