Addis Ababa Museum

Addis Ababa Museum is the city history museum. It stands above Meskel Square, on the Bole Road side. Stone stairs go up from the square to the gate.

The building

The museum is in a two storey wooden house with long rows of glass windows and a garden in front. A man named Hajji Qawas built it. It was first an arms store. Later it was a wedding gift to Ras Biru Woldegebriel and his wife Amakelech Ali, and the family lived there for many years.

What to see

The Establishment hall shows the earlier capitals of Ethiopia and the first years of Addis Ababa, with photographs of Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu. The Growth hall shows how the city grew, with its first shops and warehouses. The Adwa Hall shows weapons, uniforms, photographs and a painting of the Battle of Adwa of 1896. Other rooms have clothes, paintings and sculpture.

Opening hours and entry

The museum is open every day from 8:30 to 17:30. There is an admission fee. Call +251 97 739 9667 to ask the price.

Good to know

Allow one hour. The terrace has a view over Meskel Square and the towers of the city centre.