The Martyrs Memorial Monument is one of Bahir Dar's most visible modern landmarks, a large memorial on the city side of the lakefront. It commemorates Amhara people who died fighting the Derg regime, and it gives a different kind of context from the monasteries and waterfalls.
It is worth a short stop while exploring town, especially if you want to understand how recent political history is remembered in the regional capital. The monument also sits near useful city viewpoints and roads, so it combines easily with a lakeside walk.