Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution
Timișoara, Timiș County · Banat
About Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution
At a glance: Museums and memorial houses in Timișoara, Timiș County. Opening hours: Monday–Friday 08:00 – 17:00, Saturday–Sunday 10:00 – 18:00. Ticket: 20 lei. The visit takes 1 – 1½ hours. Information verified on 8 October 2026.
The 1989 Revolution began in Timișoara, on 15–22 December, and the museum on Strada Oituz keeps its memory. The Memorial of the Revolution Association was founded on 26 April 1990 by local councillors, artists, architects, engineers, writers and priests of the city, in order to honour the hero-martyrs. Since 2000 it has been an "ensemble of national interest", and in 2019 it received the Order of Cultural Merit, rank of Knight. In 2011 it was given Pavilion M of the former Barracks 1079, a former garrison military club, where today the museum, the research centre and the publishing house operate. It is a private museum, run by an association, not a state institution.
Besides the museum, the association erected between 1990 and 1999 more than ten monuments to the Revolution, scattered across the city at the places where the confrontations happened, and a memorial complex in the Heroes' Cemetery. Piața Victoriei and the steps of the Metropolitan Cathedral are likewise places of the events of December 1989.
What you can see
The main exhibition, "The Timișoara Revolution of 15–22 December 1989", has seven rooms, one for each key moment: clothes of the martyrs, uniforms bearing bullet marks, weapons, and the flags with the communist coat of arms cut out of the middle. Other rooms follow the revolution in Bucharest and in the other martyr cities, the trials that followed, the personality cult of Ceaușescu, everyday life under communism, deportations, illegal border crossings and the resistance in the mountains. You can watch the documentary "We Do Not Die", and the Model Room holds models of the Revolution's monuments, with a map of their locations.
In the courtyard stand a fragment of the Berlin Wall, the only one in Romania on public display, and Eugen Barzu's "Column of the Heroes", unveiled in December 2014. On the grounds is also the Heroes' Chapel, painted by Casian Murărașu and consecrated in 2014, which illustrates the solidarity of the people of Timișoara over the seven days.
Good to know
The subject is heavy: objects belonging to people killed in December 1989 are on display. The building is a converted former military pavilion, not a purpose-built museum. The entrance is on Strada Oituz 2B, through a gate in the complex's courtyard; mind the signs about car access to the yard. The standard ticket gives access to the exhibitions in Romanian and English; guiding in other languages is paid separately.
- The flags with the communist coat of arms cut out, the symbol of the December 1989 days.
- The martyrs' clothes and the uniforms bearing bullet marks in the exhibition on the seven days of the Timișoara Revolution.
- The fragment of the Berlin Wall in the courtyard, the only one in Romania on public display.
- The Heroes' Chapel, painted by Casian Murărașu, with scenes of the solidarity of the people of Timișoara.
- The documentary "We Do Not Die", subtitled in several languages.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Timișoara is ~55 km from Arad, on the A1 (~45 minutes), and ~60 km from Lugoj (~1 hour). The museum is ~1 km from Piața Victoriei, on Strada Oituz, at the entrance to the complex on Popa Șapcă; follow the "EXPO" signs at the gate.
Public transport: Timișoara Nord railway station is ~2 km away; from the centre it is about a 15-minute walk, or you can take a tram or bus to the Calea Circumvalațiunii area, from where it is a few minutes on foot.
- Where to park
I did not find a museum car park: the complex's courtyard is not for visitors (a sign at the gate says not to block the entrances). Park on the surrounding streets, in Timișoara's paid zone, by SMS or app.
- Fees & discounts
Official website (2026): standard ticket 20 lei (permanent and temporary exhibitions, text in Romanian and English, the documentary "We Do Not Die"); premium ticket 60 lei, with a guided tour and the documentary in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Hungarian or Serbian; social ticket 10 lei (national social cards, Romanian pension slips); social ticket 5 lei (pupils with a validated Romanian student record book). Photo fee 20 lei, video fee 100 lei, guiding 50 lei for 1–10 people (7 lei per person above 10). For groups of more than 20 people photography is free.
- Rules
This is a place of memory for the people killed in December 1989: keep quiet and show respect, especially in the Heroes' Chapel. Photography is subject to a fee, and so is filming. Do not touch the exhibits. Some photographs and objects can upset small children; parents decide what suits them.
- Facilities
Guided tours in Romanian, English, German and Hungarian · documentaries subtitled in several languages · the Memorial's accessories and publications at reception · online bookshop and publishing house · research centre with archive and library, on request
Frequently asked questions about Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution
- How much is a ticket to Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution?
- A ticket to Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution costs 20 lei (10 lei social card, 5 lei pupils). Official website (2026): standard ticket 20 lei (permanent and temporary exhibitions, text in Romanian and English, the documentary "We Do Not Die"); premium ticket 60 lei, with a guided tour and the documentary in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Hungarian or Serbian; social ticket 10 lei (national social cards, Romanian pension slips); social ticket 5 lei (pupils with a validated Romanian student record book). Photo fee 20 lei, video fee 100 lei, guiding 50 lei for 1–10 people (7 lei per person above 10). For groups of more than 20 people photography is free.
- What are the opening hours of Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution?
- Opening hours at Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution: Monday–Friday 08:00 – 17:00, Saturday–Sunday 10:00 – 18:00. Monday–Friday 08:00–17:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–18:00; last visitor 30 minutes before closing. Hours change over the winter holidays: in 2025–2026 the museum was open 10:00–18:00 on the days between the holidays and closed on 24–26 and 31 December and 1–2 January. Check the announcements on the website before you go.
- How long does a visit to Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution take?
- A visit to Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution takes about 1 – 1½ hours (estimate; longer with a guide).
- Can you visit Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution with kids?
- Yes, Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution is suitable for children (heavy; from school age).
- Where can I park at Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution?
- There is paid parking at Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution (on the street, in the paid zone). I did not find a museum car park: the complex's courtyard is not for visitors (a sign at the gate says not to block the entrances). Park on the surrounding streets, in Timișoara's paid zone, by SMS or app.
- How do I get to Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution?
- Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution is located at Strada Oituz 2B (Popa Șapcă 3–5 complex), Timișoara, Timiș County. By car: Timișoara is ~55 km from Arad, on the A1 (~45 minutes), and ~60 km from Lugoj (~1 hour). The museum is ~1 km from Piața Victoriei, on Strada Oituz, at the entrance to the complex on Popa Șapcă; follow the "EXPO" signs at the gate. Public transport: Timișoara Nord railway station is ~2 km away; from the centre it is about a 15-minute walk, or you can take a tram or bus to the Calea Circumvalațiunii area, from where it is a few minutes on foot.
- When is the best time to visit Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution?
- The best season for Memorial of the December 1989 Revolution: All year round (all year; special in December).
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