10 Things to Do in Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)
The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21) is a chilling reminder of Cambodia’s brutal past. Located in the capital city of Phnom Penh, the museum is a memorial to the thousands of people who were tortured and killed during the Khmer Rouge regime of 1975-1979. Here are 10 things to do in the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum that will help you gain a greater understanding of the atrocities that occurred here.
1. Take a Guided Tour: A guided tour is the best way to learn about the history of the museum and gain a deeper understanding of the events that took place here. The guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the history and will be able to answer any questions you may have.
2. View Photographs of Victims: The museum has a collection of photographs taken of victims after they were arrested and brought to the prison. These photos are a stark reminder of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime and will help you gain a better understanding of the scale of the atrocities that occurred here.
3. Read the Victims' Stories: There are several books and publications in the museum that document the stories of victims who were brought to the prison. Reading these stories will give you a deeper insight into the suffering that occurred here and the resilience of the survivors.
4. Visit the Cells: The museum has preserved several of the cells where prisoners were held and tortured. Seeing these cells will give you an idea of the conditions that prisoners were subjected to and the horror of their experience.
5. Learn about the Victims: The museum has a collection of documents and artifacts that tell the story of the victims who were brought to the prison. Learning about their lives before and after their imprisonment will give you a greater understanding of the tragedy that occurred here.
6. View Artwork by Survivors: The museum has a collection of artwork created by survivors of the prison. Viewing this artwork will give you a glimpse into the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of those who endured the horrors of the prison.
7. Attend a Lecture or Film Screening: The museum occasionally hosts lectures and film screenings that focus on the history of the prison and the events that occurred here. Attending one of these events will give you a greater understanding of the tragedy that occurred here.
8. Visit the Memorial: The museum has a memorial to the victims of the prison. Visiting the memorial will give you a chance to pay your respects to those who lost their lives here.
9. Take a Moment for Reflection: The museum is a sobering reminder of the atrocities that occurred here. Taking a moment to reflect on the events that occurred here will help you gain a greater understanding of the tragedy that occurred here.
10. Visit the Choeung Ek Killing Fields: The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is located near the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where many of the victims of the prison were taken to be executed. Visiting the killing fields will give you a greater understanding of the scale of the tragedy that occurred here.
Visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a powerful and emotional experience that will help you gain a greater understanding of the tragedy that occurred here. It is a reminder of the horrors of the past and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.