Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum የቀይ ሽብር መታሰቢያ ሙዚየም

Beware of early closures and attendants asking for ‘donations’! The museum is definitely worth visiting as it showcases an important part of ethiopian history related to the red terror. You can see skulls and bones of victims displayed in glass cabinets. I arrived at 4pm and the attendant first told me it is closed, although it is clearly open. Then i was told i can go in if i leave a donation. Upon exiting i asked where the donation box is which there isn’t, and the lady asked me to pay her directly. I refused and walked out!

Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum was another must-visit place for me after seeing Lucy. It represents one of the darkest periods in Ethiopia’s history. Inside the museum, there are disturbing photographs and even human skulls on display. These are not meant to scare visitors, but to remind everyone of the past with a strong message: “Never Again.” There is also a powerful “Never Again” themed statue outside the museum. There is no fixed entry ticket, but they request a donation for maintenance (around 200 Birr per person). A knowledgeable English-speaking guide is available and highly recommended, as they explain the history in detail. One important note: Google Maps may show the museum as closed on Sundays, but it is actually open. You leave the place with a heavy heart—it’s a deeply emotional and important experience that stays with you. Never Again.

As other reviews said that the admission is free, but when I was there, there was a tour guide coming to me. As we had shared the same major in university, I agreed that he guided me for the tour. But his English is not very good and he seemed to push me to follow his narrative. So the whole journey seemed to be very tight. And he asked me for some tips. There is only one floor. The story started from the last king of this country and then to the red terror. There were plenty of spacious photos, archives, and objects. However, as other reviews said that they were too many bones, which were terrifying. The human being cannot make it happen again!

Free entry, so why not go. It’s a small museum which has painful stories. Can be little scary because you’ll see reall human body remains. I recommend to go while visiting the square, It doesn’t take time to see everything and they are only relaying on donation.

Of course! Here’s a possible review you could use: “I had an absolutely unforgettable visit to the Red Terror Martyrs’ Museum. It’s a powerful and moving tribute to those who suffered during Ethiopia’s Red Terror period. The exhibits are very well-curated—each artifact and photograph tells a deeply personal story. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable, and the atmosphere was both solemn and respectful. I left with a much deeper understanding of this crucial chapter in history.”