The site was originally the Tuol Svay Prey High School before its conversion into a prison.
Only seven prisoners are confirmed to have survived their internment at S-21.
The Khmer Rouge meticulously documented the prison, creating thousands of portraits and confession documents that are now part of the museum's archives.
The buildings were designated as a Genocide Museum in 1980, one year after the fall of the regime.
The site includes a list of 10 security regulations that were posted for prisoners to follow under threat of torture.
Some of the physical torture equipment remains on display in the exact rooms where it was utilized.
The archives were inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2009.
The architecture reflects typical 1960s Cambodian school construction, contrasting sharply with its later usage.
The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly known as Security Prison 21 (S-21), is a site of detention and torture operated by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979. Located in a former high school, the compound retains the original layout of cell blocks, interrogation rooms, and administrative offices. The museum documents the systemic imprisonment of approximately 17,000 to 20,000 people during the Cambodian genocide. Exhibits feature thousands of preserved photographs, biographical records, and personal artifacts of victims. The site serves as a memorial to the victims and a center for historical education. Visitors walk through the original classrooms, many still partitioned into small brick or wooden cells. The museum is a member of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, recognizing its historical archives. It remains one of the most significant sites for understanding the history of the Pol Pot regime.
The central courtyard, which captures the contrast between the former school's architecture and the barbed wire remnants.
Use the provided audio guide to receive detailed context and survivor testimonies as you walk through the buildings.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor throughout the facility due to the site's nature as a memorial.
Carry tissues or water, as the historical content is emotionally heavy for many visitors.
Avoid taking selfies or using loud, cheerful tones; this is a place of profound tragedy and solemn remembrance.
Visitors must dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Photography is prohibited in certain restricted areas of the museum.
