chemin de fer square

## Chemin de Fer Square, Dire Dawa: Where Ethiopia’s Railway Story Spills Out Into the Street Chemin de Fer Square in Dire Dawa looks modest at first glance: a wide, sun-bleached open space, a historic railway façade and, in many photos, a locomotive monument parked on a plinth in the middle of the roundabout. But this small square is one of the best places in eastern Ethiopia to feel how the country’s modern history, trade routes and multicultural city life all meet in one spot. Set in the Kezira district of Dire Dawa, Chemin de Fer (“railway” in French) takes its name from the old Franco-Ethiopian / Ethio–Djibouti Railway that created the city in the early 1900s. Today the square is a landmark, a navigation point, and a convenient base for exploring the old railway station and central Dire Dawa. --- ## Why Chemin de Fer Square Matters ### A railway square that gave a city its shape Dire Dawa exists because of the railway. The metre-gauge Ethio–Djibouti line, built between 1897 and 1917, linked Addis Ababa with the port of Djibouti and was operated by a French company known as Chemin de Fer Djibouto-Éthiopien. When the original line couldn’t easily climb to the highland city of Harar, a new settlement was laid out lower down: Dire Dawa. The railway station here became the main waystation on the route, with workshops, staff housing and European-influenced town planning radiating out from the tracks. Chemin de Fer Square sits in front of, and around, this historic station complex. Photos and reports show: - A yellow, early-20th-century station building with arched doors and a French-influenced façade. - An open paved area that functions as a square / roundabout. - A preserved locomotive mounted on a central plinth in some views, underlining the site’s transport heritage. In short, the “square” is essentially the public space at the doorstep of Ethiopia’s most famous railway station, and a visual shorthand for Dire Dawa’s rail-built identity. ### From working railway to museum piece The original Ethio–Djibouti line declined from the 1970s and was eventually abandoned in sections in the early 2000s, replaced by a newer standard-gauge line built with Chinese support that now runs from Addis Ababa to Djibouti on a different alignment. Around the old Dire Dawa station, disused rolling stock and equipment have gradually been turned into what many sources describe as a low-key “Chemin de Fer Railway Museum” or “railway graveyard,” with mid-20th-century locomotives, carriages and railway tools on display. Important reality check (outdated data flag): - A 2016–2022 cluster of articles describe the museum as accessible but informal, with limited interpretation and no regular guided tours. - A 2024 travel diary notes that the historic station has been undergoing reconstruction and that trains now use a newer station on the city’s outskirts. Because of this, opening arrangements and access to the rolling stock can change. Before planning a focused visit to the museum areas behind the square, it’s sensible to: - Check the latest situation locally in Dire Dawa (hotel staff or guides usually know if the site is open). - Expect a working-heritage site rather than a polished, ticketed museum. --- ## What You’ll See Around Chemin de Fer Square ### 1. The historic station façade The standout building on the edge of the square is the old Dire Dawa railway station itself: a two-storey, cream-coloured structure with blue trim and a central arched entrance. Photos over the last decade show “Chemin de Fer Djibouto-Éthiopien” signage and, in some periods, an “I ❤️ Diredawa” installation in front of the building. Architecturally, it represents: - French influence in its symmetry and detailing. - Ethiopian adaptation, with local materials and climate-appropriate proportions. Even if indoor access is restricted during restoration, the façade and surrounding yard remain one of Dire Dawa’s most photographed backdrops. ### 2. Locomotive monuments and rail relics In and around the square and station yard, visitors have documented: - A shunter locomotive mounted on a raised plinth, used as a static monument. - Rows of weathered freight cars and tankers on sidings behind the station. - Signage and plaques referencing the old Chemin de Fer Ethiopien. These features turn the square into an open-air fragment of Ethiopia’s industrial archaeology. If you’re into railway photography, the combination of old rolling stock, heat-hazed tracks and city life is unusually atmospheric. ### 3. Everyday Kezira life Chemin de Fer Square lies in the Kezira district, the “new town” planned by the French, which has long, straight streets, roundabouts and a mix of administrative offices, hotels and shops. in Addis In practical terms, that means: - Constant movement of bajaj (three-wheeled rickshaws), taxis and pedestrians using the square as a reference point. - Nearby cafés and restaurants where you can try Ethiopian coffee and regional dishes; several travel-guide style sites highlight food options in Kezira and around the square. - Proximity to city landmarks such as the Dire Dawa Palace, churches, and administrative buildings within a short walk. The square itself is fairly bare—more functional than landscaped—but urban-planning documents list it alongside parks like Diaspora Park as one of the city’s existing public open spaces. --- ## Planning Your Visit ### Getting to Chemin de Fer Square From central Dire Dawa / old town (Megala) - Megala, the older, more traditional quarter across the seasonal Dechatu River, connects to Kezira by main roads and bridges. Dire Dawa is compact; a bajaj ride from Megala to Chemin de Fer Square typically takes a few minutes. - When negotiating with drivers, asking for the “old railway station” or “Chemin de Fer” is usually understood—this is one of the city’s reference landmarks. From Harar - Harar lies roughly 50 km away. Buses and minibuses link the two cities; multiple sources give a journey time of about 1.5–2 hours. - On arrival at Dire Dawa’s main bus station, Chemin de Fer Square is around 20–30 minutes on foot via Kezira, or a short bajaj ride. From the new railway station / airport - The current standard-gauge Addis–Djibouti line stops at a modern station outside the historic centre, and flights use Dire Dawa’s airport, both requiring a taxi or bajaj transfer into town. - In both cases, asking to be dropped at “Chemin de Fer” works as a sensible central drop-off before continuing on foot. ### When to go Dire Dawa sits at a relatively low elevation and can be hot, so: - Early morning and late afternoon are more comfortable for walking around the square and station. - Midday sun can be intense, and the square offers limited shade; bring water, sun protection and a hat. ### Safety & practicalities - The square is a traffic roundabout as much as a plaza; be careful when crossing and keep an eye on bajaj and bus movements. - Ethiopia’s security situation can change; always check the latest government travel advisories and local guidance before travelling to Dire Dawa. - Photography of the station and locomotives has been common in published articles and social media posts; even so, it’s courteous to avoid photographing security personnel or sensitive infrastructure without permission. --- ## Pairing Chemin de Fer Square With Nearby Sights Because of its central position in Kezira, Chemin de Fer Square works well as a starting point for a half-day city walk. Within roughly a kilometre you can reach: - Kefira Market – a busy market area that gives a good sense of regional trade and everyday shopping. - Ali Birra Park, Diaspora Park and Millennium Park – green spaces popular for strolling and picnics. - Religious landmarks – including Saint Mary Gate of Heaven Orthodox Cathedral and a Greek Orthodox church, illustrating Dire Dawa’s religious and cultural diversity. Beyond the city, day-trip options often combined with a stay in Dire Dawa include: - Harar Jugol (Harar’s walled city) – a UNESCO-listed historic city, usually visited on a separate full-day excursion from Dire Dawa. - Porc Epic Cave and regional rock-art sites – archaeological locations in the surrounding hills, referenced in both academic and tourism material. If your site already covers Dire Dawa or Harar in depth, this Chemin de Fer Square article naturally supports internal linking from: - A broader Dire Dawa city guide (context: getting oriented and understanding the railway story). - A feature on the Ethio–Djibouti Railway / Chemin de Fer Railway Museum (context: rail history and industrial heritage). --- ## Responsible & Inclusive Travel Notes - Local communities: Dire Dawa’s population includes Oromo, Somali, Amhara, Harari and other groups. Guidebooks and academic sources highlight the city’s longstanding multicultural character. Using local guides or small businesses around the square directly supports these communities. - Gender and dress: Ethiopia is generally conservative in dress norms. Lightweight, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is widely accepted and practical for the sun. - Language: Amharic, Oromo and Somali are common in Dire Dawa, but you’ll often find English spoken in hotels and around transport hubs. A few basic greetings in Amharic or Oromo are usually appreciated. - Changing infrastructure (outdated-data reminder): The balance between the old metre-gauge line, the new standard-gauge route and station restoration work continues to evolve. Details like museum access, signage, or the presence of particular locomotives in the square may differ from older photos and articles. Always treat transport-operation details from pre-2020 sources as historical rather than current. --- ### Bottom line