Ntarama Church
Ntarama Church
4.5
About
This site of the April 1994 massacre has been declared a genocide memorial. It remains a solemn tribute to those who were slain, the bones and belongings of the dead still lying among the aisles and the altar.
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Portland_OregonSadie
Salem, OR159 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
When we arrived, we were given a tour that was very informative and emotional. I really appreciate that Rwanda has kept places like this open so that they can both be visited and remembered. We combined this visit with the nearby Nyamata Church which was equally moving.
Written September 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
odyek fred
Kigali, Rwanda192 contributions
Dec 2019 • Business
Very authentic, and worth a visit for those who want to learn more about the Rwandan genocide, and know exactly what took place.
I always bring here my clients during my Kigali city tour, and they say its worth.
But its horrible, and terrific.
If you would want to visit, its worth, am. Available to give a hand
I always bring here my clients during my Kigali city tour, and they say its worth.
But its horrible, and terrific.
If you would want to visit, its worth, am. Available to give a hand
Written December 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine
London, UK915 contributions
In terms of practicalities, I did not take a tour and relied on Bradt's guide (page 113) to see both Nyamata and Ntarama churches, which are around 10km apart so this is a review on how to get there rather than what is there which has been covered in earlier reviews.
GETTING THERE: I picked up a Sotra Tour bus from central Kigali, which leave for Nyamata every half an hour. Central Kigali is very small so wander around and you will spot one road with all the various local white mini buses picking up people. Rwanda is an extremely friendly country and despite being on my own and the only tourist about, everyone made sure I bought the correct ticket (Rfr 600 each way) and stood in the correct place for the bus. The mini bus seats 12 people ...it is clean, modern if a bit cosy! The bus took 40 mins to get to Nyamata on really good paved roads. Once there, there are various motorbikes and bicycles to get a lift on. It should be noted that I seem to be a novelty and everyone stared! I also didn't see too much in the way of signposting so I wouldn't walk it.
NYAMATA: From the bus drop off I got a lift on the back of a bicycle (they have a saddle at the back) for about ÂŁ2 to the church. It took 15 mins. The church itself was shocking and I had to catch my breath. I was on my own so the experience was something I will remember for the rest of my life. Both memorials have clear glass boxes where you make a donation (Bradt suggests $5-$10 as the memorials depend on this)
NTARAMA: My bike boy got me back to the bus pick up and then I picked up another bike boy to ride out to Ntarama (I would say 10km one way for $5 return) ...I was getting the hang of being a passenger at this stage much to the amusement of the locals. At Ntarama, I was shown around by an English speaking guide, which was far worse I didn't want to cry in front of her but it was the worse thing I've seen or heard. I made a donation in the clear glass box and also signed their book.
The bike boy then transferred me back to the bus stop and the Rwandans were again, really helpful and ensured I took the right bus back to Kigali.
I recommend seeing these two churches first before visiting the Kigali genocide museum in Kigali ....you'll know why once you have been there.
GETTING THERE: I picked up a Sotra Tour bus from central Kigali, which leave for Nyamata every half an hour. Central Kigali is very small so wander around and you will spot one road with all the various local white mini buses picking up people. Rwanda is an extremely friendly country and despite being on my own and the only tourist about, everyone made sure I bought the correct ticket (Rfr 600 each way) and stood in the correct place for the bus. The mini bus seats 12 people ...it is clean, modern if a bit cosy! The bus took 40 mins to get to Nyamata on really good paved roads. Once there, there are various motorbikes and bicycles to get a lift on. It should be noted that I seem to be a novelty and everyone stared! I also didn't see too much in the way of signposting so I wouldn't walk it.
NYAMATA: From the bus drop off I got a lift on the back of a bicycle (they have a saddle at the back) for about ÂŁ2 to the church. It took 15 mins. The church itself was shocking and I had to catch my breath. I was on my own so the experience was something I will remember for the rest of my life. Both memorials have clear glass boxes where you make a donation (Bradt suggests $5-$10 as the memorials depend on this)
NTARAMA: My bike boy got me back to the bus pick up and then I picked up another bike boy to ride out to Ntarama (I would say 10km one way for $5 return) ...I was getting the hang of being a passenger at this stage much to the amusement of the locals. At Ntarama, I was shown around by an English speaking guide, which was far worse I didn't want to cry in front of her but it was the worse thing I've seen or heard. I made a donation in the clear glass box and also signed their book.
The bike boy then transferred me back to the bus stop and the Rwandans were again, really helpful and ensured I took the right bus back to Kigali.
I recommend seeing these two churches first before visiting the Kigali genocide museum in Kigali ....you'll know why once you have been there.
Written December 20, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary L
Essex, VT187 contributions
Jun 2011 • Solo
My recommendation is to visit the KIgali Memorial Centre first, and on a different day, so that the atrocities you will encounter first hand at Ntarama are in context. You will face the inner sanctum of evil in the human spirit here. The one on one, up close and personal massacres are revealed without pity as your eyes slowly adjust to the dim lighting and your mind staggers to discern the exhibits - which it will. this visit will shed real light though on the genocidal processes which build and build to the bursting point, whether it is here or Srebenica or Auschwitz or any of a million other places in darker recesses of human history. lesson: challenge and fight abuse of every kind as soon as it appears.
Written May 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
awalkKigali
Kigali, Rwanda12 contributions
Unlike the genocide memorial in Kigali this church is far from the urban life. I saw this after I went to the Nyamata church and both sites made me appreciate how the genocide hit small villages and innocent people. The church is far from the main road and is next to people's homes and land. The main building once had the bodies of 5,000 people left as they had been killed, but now the bones have been cleaned up. The massive amount of clothing hangs from the walls of the church is is overwhelmingly powerful. It baffles me when I think about the number, 5,000. There are other small chapel that were further up the hill. A wall of names was erected with some beautiful landscaping nearby.
The guide was friendly and spoke English, but I didn't feel like it was a proper tour. Nevertheless the site speaks for itself. When I asked if I could make a donation there the guide took me to a room that had a basket, no donation sign and the basket was empty! They would at least have a sign indicating that you can make a donation if you would like.
I highly recommend this as a stop if you want to appreciate how the genocide hit small and rural villages.
The guide was friendly and spoke English, but I didn't feel like it was a proper tour. Nevertheless the site speaks for itself. When I asked if I could make a donation there the guide took me to a room that had a basket, no donation sign and the basket was empty! They would at least have a sign indicating that you can make a donation if you would like.
I highly recommend this as a stop if you want to appreciate how the genocide hit small and rural villages.
Written September 24, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moviegeekjn
Phoenix, AZ2,349 contributions
Nov 2012 • Solo
Located about an hour from central Kigali and very close to Nyamata Church (site of a similar memorial), this church serves as a graphic reminder of the horrors of the 1994 genocide. Although churches had served as sanctuaries previously in smaller genocides, they offered no such protection this time; in fact, some pastors actually assisted the murdering troops.
Inside the various rooms lie blood soaked clothing of the hundreds of innocent victims slaughtered here. Holes in the walls remain--grenades bombed the church before the troops entered and killed the masses. One room where Sunday school classes were held still has blood staining the walls, where the murderers slammed babies bodies against the walls.
It's sobering and graphic--a place not to be missed if you want to experience and never forget the most horrible genocide in recent memory.
Inside the various rooms lie blood soaked clothing of the hundreds of innocent victims slaughtered here. Holes in the walls remain--grenades bombed the church before the troops entered and killed the masses. One room where Sunday school classes were held still has blood staining the walls, where the murderers slammed babies bodies against the walls.
It's sobering and graphic--a place not to be missed if you want to experience and never forget the most horrible genocide in recent memory.
Written December 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rachels08
Chicago, IL44 contributions
When I first arrived in Kigali I went to the Kigali Memorial Centre, and then to the Nyamata genocide memorial, and I thought by that time I was becoming less shocked by all the genocide memorials. When I went to the Ntarama memorial I found this was not so. It is haunting, it is moving, it is incredibly saddening to see the clothing of thousands of genocide victims hanging from the rafters and piled on the floor. A number of skeletons are still piled onto metal shelves in the back of the church. Elsewhere in the memorial compound, there are the remains of a house that was burnt down by the genocidaires when its residents refused to give up the Tutsis they were sheltering. You will understand the genocide much more clearly after seeing this.
The site does take a little bit to find, but it's not actually that difficult - just drive from Kigali towards Nyamata and take the turnoff where the signs for the Ntarama memorial are. The memorial is maybe a kilometer off the main road. Remember to give a donation to the tour guide - I don't think they get a salary otherwise.
The site does take a little bit to find, but it's not actually that difficult - just drive from Kigali towards Nyamata and take the turnoff where the signs for the Ntarama memorial are. The memorial is maybe a kilometer off the main road. Remember to give a donation to the tour guide - I don't think they get a salary otherwise.
Written October 21, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
don_Chiapo
Doha, Qatar227 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
It was horrible experience will never forget it stuck in my head when was in a Sunday school and the church can't stop crying never had that before even in Hiroshima and Phnom penh, it was so painful and so hard to live that I had this feeling of people screaming crying suffering how human could be cruel.
Written November 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Binula W
Melbourne, Australia393 contributions
Sep 2019 • Friends
We did a day trip out to Nyamata and Ntarama memorial sites.
Ntarama houses a number of church buildings as they were during the genocide. The main church displays clothes of the victims along with some skulls and bones showing the trauma sustained by the victims. There is also a small library building and partially destroyed kitchen that can be visited.
The nearby mass graves can be visited underground with collections of bones housed within multiple coffins.
A guide takes you through the site with excellent explanation.
Ntarama houses a number of church buildings as they were during the genocide. The main church displays clothes of the victims along with some skulls and bones showing the trauma sustained by the victims. There is also a small library building and partially destroyed kitchen that can be visited.
The nearby mass graves can be visited underground with collections of bones housed within multiple coffins.
A guide takes you through the site with excellent explanation.
Written September 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nepal_Mountain_Lover
Perth, UK284 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
This was the most affecting place I saw in Rwanda. The guide Chantal was brilliant. I had her to myself and we cried together as we went round. The dark patch on the wall where the babies' heads were smashed in was something I will NEVER forget. Everyone should see it and stop this happening again. It's only about 40 minutes out of Kigali - get a taxi to here and to Nyamata, which is only about 5 minutes away. Both are very much worth seeing, but to me this was the more emotional and informative.
Written March 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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