Santa Cruz Cemetery is a walled Catholic cemetery in central Dili and one of the most significant historical sites in Timor-Leste. On 12 November 1991, Indonesian troops opened fire on a peaceful funeral procession that had become a pro-independence demonstration, killing many young Timorese. Footage of the massacre was smuggled out and broadcast abroad, drawing international attention to the independence struggle.
Visiting
- What you will see: rows of whitewashed tombs and flower-laid graves. It is still a working cemetery.
- Entry: there is no museum or ticket office.
- 12 November: the anniversary is marked as National Youth Day, a public holiday, with commemorations at the cemetery.
Etiquette
Dress modestly, keep voices low and be discreet with photos, especially of mourners. Ask before photographing people.
Nearby
The Timorese Resistance Archive & Museum and the Chega! exhibition centre give more context. See our guide to things to do in Dili.