Museum of Memory and Human Rights

The Basics

Museum exhibits include torture devices, recorded testimonies from victims, and other artifacts used to present the story of the dictatorship to the public. There’s also a memorial with images of those who vanished or were killed under the regime. Not everything in the museum is translated into English, so it’s wise to go with someone who speaks Spanish, or download a translation app. Guided museum tours are available and some Santiago tours stop at the museum.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Admission to the museum is free.
• The museum presents difficult history and may not be appropriate for younger children.
• Museum facilities include a cafe, a museum shop, Wi-Fi, and parking.
• The museum is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.

How to Get There

The museum is located right across from Quinta Normal Park, where many of the city's museums are situated. It's about a 10-minute taxi ride east of Plaza de Armas, Santiago's central square, though it's cheaper and easier to take metro line 5 from the square to the Quinta Normal Station, a 2-minute walk from the museum's entrance.

When to Get There

The museum is open every day of the week except Tuesdays, with extended summer hours in January and February. The museum is closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday, May 1 (Labor Day), and for the 2-day Fiestas Patrias on September 18 and 19.

The Museums of Quinta Normal Park

Many of Chile's top museums are inside Quinta Normal Park, and many visitors to the Museum of Memory also visit another museum or two on the same day. Options include the National Museum of Natural History, where you can learn all about Chilean plants and animals, free of charge. The Railway Museum is just a short stroll away and showcases old trains and rail-related ephemera.