Sights in Dili
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Santa Cruz Cemetery
- Dili, East Timor
- Sights › Dark
On 12 November 1991, Indonesian soldiers fired on a peaceful memorial procession at the Santa Cruz Cemetery . More than 200 civilians died, many of them after they were rounded up and trucked away by the military. One of the people killed was Kamal Bamadhaj, a New Zealand citizen and the subject of the film Punitive Damage; two of the many people the soldiers beat up turned out to be American journalists.
The bloody attack was filmed by British journalist Max Stahl, whose footage features in the documentary In Cold Blood. The massacre at the Santa Cruz Cemetery is cited as a turning point in the independence struggle. The Xanana Reading Room has films about the event avai…
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Arte Moris
Set in the vast remains of an Indonesian-era museum, Arte Moris encompasses everything weird and wonderful about Dili. Art students live here while they train in a variety of media; some of best results grace a funky sculpture garden or are on display in a gallery. Although at times whimsical, many of the works address the ongoing tragedy of life in East Timor. Many local artists are in residence, including Bibi Bulak, an inventive acting troupe that performs on stage and screen.
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Xanana Gusmão Reading Room
Part museum, part library, part cultural centre, the Reading Room is a must-visit. The foyer of this old colonial building displays photos and information dedicated to President Xanana Gusmão. A selection of books is held in various fan-cooled rooms. Make time to watch a video from the Reading Room's comprehensive collection - videos include gripping coverage of the Santa Cruz Cemetery massacre.
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Waterfront
Dili's lively waterfront is lined tangible references to East Timor's present and past. Groups of men pass hours playing cards or talking politics beneath the banyan trees. Faded Portuguese-style buildings - once the preserve of colonial officials - line the pockmarked esplanade, interspersed with businesses, burnt-out buildings and refugee camps.
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Jesus Statue
The coast road crosses a small river at the east end of town before ending where the 27m-tall Jesus Statue beckons from the tip of Cape Fatucama (about 7km). From the top of the statue, the turquoise bays backed by green-covered mountains are stunning.
A taxi to the statue from town should cost around around US$2.
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Resistance Museum
The 24-year struggle against the Indonesians is commemorated in the impressive new There's a good timeline in English, plus photos and exhibits of the gear used by Falintil while they hid in the hills (satellite phones are the tools of the modern revolution). The catalogue is impressive.
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Cape Fatucama
The series of serene beaches here seems a world away from the chaos of Dili just across the water.
There's a sprinkling of popular beachfront bars and restaurants on the cape.
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Integration Monument
Opposite the main wharf, the Indonesian-installed Integration Monument represents an angst-ridden Timorese breaking the chains of colonialism.
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Motael Church
West of the main wharf, the seaside Motael Church is one of East Timor's oldest institutions.
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Jesus Backside Beach
As you climb the well-marked path up to the Jesus Statue on Cape Fatucama, look for a little path after the last of 14 grottos. It leads down to an often deserted beach, known as Jesus Backside beach, where there's decent snorkelling.
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