The Addis Ababa Museum sits in the Meskel Square area of Ethiopia's capital, a short visit for anyone who wants to understand the city before exploring it on foot. It is also known as the Addis Ababa City Museum, and that name fits its purpose: it is a museum about the city itself.
What the museum covers
The displays trace the history and development of Addis Ababa from its founding to the present day. Visitors can follow how the city has grown and changed over time, with exhibits on urban development that show how its streets and districts took shape.
The museum also turns to the people and places that give the city its character:
- Urban development, showing how the capital expanded and was planned
- Notable residents who shaped the life of the city
- City landmarks, placing familiar sights in their wider story
Why visit
For a first-time visitor, the museum offers context. After seeing its exhibits, the streets around Meskel Square and the wider city may read differently, because you will recognise the landmarks and understand something of how they came to be. It suits those interested in urban history, architecture and the everyday story of a capital city, and it works well as a starting point before wider sightseeing.
Planning your trip
The museum is in the central Meskel Square area of Addis Ababa, within the Addis Ababa Region. To check current arrangements before you go, you can call the museum on +251-11-551-7074. Allow time to walk around the displays at a comfortable pace, and then continue to nearby parts of the city to see the places the exhibits describe.