Nyamata Genocide Memorial

The Nyamata Genocide Memorial, located 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Kigali in Rwanda, commemorates the 1994 Rwandan genocide. 50,000 people's skeletons are interred here. The genocide in Rwanda began in April 1994. Many Tutsi people congregated here because churches were seen as a safe haven. A crowd of 10,000 people gathered here, and the residents barricaded themselves inside. Today's church walls indicate how the culprits drilled holes in the church's walls so that grenades could be hurled inside. This is one of the most beautiful historical sites in Rwanda.

The victims inside were then shot or macheted to death. Bullet holes can be seen in the church's ceiling, and the altar fabric is still soaked with blood. The majority of the bodies have been buried, but clothing and identification cards have remained. The identity cards were used to determine whether a person was a Tutsi or a Hutu. Following the church massacre, others in the surrounding region were also killed. 50,000 people's skeletons are interred here.

The memorial is built around a former church about 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Kigali, Rwanda, and remembers the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The Rwanda Genocide is commemorated at this memorial, which is one of six national memorial sites in Rwanda. In Rwanda, there are about 250 memorial sites dedicated to the genocide.

Location: Kigali