Historic Attractions
Axum
Axum is one of Ethiopia ’s historic star attractions. It is a quiet and modest town which for nearly 1000 years was the capital city of one of the most powerful kingdoms in Africa . Great national epic Kibre Negest describes Axum as the capital of legendary Queen of Sheba in 10th c. B.C. By the 1st century A.D. Axum became important trading center often visited by the Greek merchants. As Ethiopia adopted Christianity around year 330, Axum became the unofficial religious capital of the country. Places to visit in and near Axum are Tombs and Stelae Field, National Museum , Queen of Sheba’s Bath , Dongar (so-called Queen of Sheba’s palace), King Kaleb’s Palace, Church of St. Mary of Zion and many others. Recommended stay in Axum - 1 day.
Bahr Dar
Located on the Southern shore of Lake Tana , Bahr Dar is a very attractive and pleasant town. Two major tourist attractions of Bahr Dar are the Blue Nile Falls and the monasteries on the islands of Lake Tana . The oldest and most striking monasteries of Lake Tana area are Narga Selassie on Dek Island , Debre Maryam and Ura Kidane Mihiret on Zege Peninsula , and monastery of Kibran Gebriel. Some of the monasteries are open to men only. Recomended stay in Bahr Day - 2 to 3 days.
Debre Damo
The monastery at Debre Damo dates back to Axumite times and boasts the oldest standing church in the country. The monastery is positioned on top of the 2800 m high amba (mountain with flat top). Only males can enter this monastery. The only way to enter is to be hoisted on the rope tied to your waist up the 24 m cliff. A visit to Debre Damo Monastery is included in our complete historic route by car (code TINR 004)
Gondar
Gondar with its castles and churches is a not-to-miss attraction on the historic route of Ethiopia . Gondar became the capital of in 1636, when Fasilides was crowned the king of Ethiopia . Major tourist attractions of Gondar are the Royal Enclosure (an area of 75,000 sq. m. surrounded by high stone walls) with six royal palaces and other buildings, Debre Berhan Selassie church, and Qusquam complex established by Princess Mentwab. Recommended stay in Gondar - 1 day.
Gorgora
The little town of Gorgora, rarely visited by tourists, is found to the south of Gondar . 13th century church of Debre Sina and ruins of the Portuguese monastery can be visited in this small, quiet and charming town. Recommended stay in Gorgora - 1 day. Even though it is not included in any of our regular tour programs, we can take you to Gorgora on special request.
Harer
For centuries Harer was the center of the spread of Islam in Eastern Ethiopia . Until the mid-19th century the town was closed to Christians. It is a town of rich history, unusual architecture and open-hearted, kind people.
Very interesting things to see in Harer are its mosques (altogether 87 in number), the Harer wall and its gates, traditional Adare houses, a house of French poet Rimbaud (now a museum), and palace of Ras Teferi. At night tourists enjoy a sight of local people feeding hyenas on the streets of Harer. Recommended stay in Harer - 2 days.
Lalibela
Located in the Lasta Mountains , Lalibela ranks among the greatest historic sites of the world. Dating back to the 12th c., it was founded by King Lalibela. A place consists of 11 rock-hewn churches. Bete Giorgis (the church of St. George) is the most beautiful and most photographed of them. There are also several monasteries lying in the neighbourhood of Lalibela. Of them, the ones worth visiting are Asheten Maryam Church, Nakute Leab Church, and Yimrehanna Kristos Church. Recommended stay in Lalibela - 2 to 3 days.
For more informations about historic attraction of Ethiopia and our customised tours to these destinations, please contact us: terra.inc@ethionet.et