Historical Ethiopia

Historical Ethiopia

Legend has it that Emperor Menelik I, is

the son of Queen of Sheba and King

Solomon, brought the Ark of the

Covenant from Jerusalem to Axum

where he established one of the

world’s longest known, uninterrupted

monarchical dynasties.

Ethiopia’s histories encompass legend

and tradition mystery and fact, from a

powerful and religious ancient

civilization.

Traveling the route by air road, or a

combination of both, provides a

glimpse into a remarkable past. The

well-trodden path through Ethiopia’s

fascinating historic places takes you

through a magnificent, scenic world of

legendary names such as Lalibela,

Axum, Gondar, DebreDamo, Bahr Dar

and Harar. The past comes alive in this

fascinating land in the form of strange

and beautiful churches, monuments

and ruins.

Ethiopia is truly a land of discovery-

brilliant and beautiful secretive,

mysterious and extraordinary.

Ethiopia’s historic route begins with a

glance at the tantalizing remains of

Yeha – the centre of the earliest

civilization in northern Ethiopia. The

journey takes you on rough tracks

through the dramatic highland scenery

ending in a serene agricultural hamlet…

…Yellow limestone ruins of the ‘Temple of the Moon’ dates

back to the 5th century BC. The edifice with its precise-fitting

blocks of stone was built by the Sabean Civilization. Yeha is

famed for its inscriptions and fine objects of bronze and other

artifacts which have been excavated over the past century.

Your travel to such place is not only one with unforgettable

memories but one that fills your whole being with pleasure and

energy.

The graceful city of Gondar was founded by Emperor Fasiledes around 1635, famous for

its many medieval castles and the design and decoration of its churches. Flanked by

twin mountain streams Gondar retains an atmosphere of antique charm mingled with an

aura of mystery. The city was once a vigorous and vital centre of religious learning and

art. . For more than two hundred years skilled instruction in painting, music, dance,

poetry and many other disciplines thrived. Fasiledas and his successors saw their

elegant capital as a phoenix and so patronised the arts.

The so-called bathing palace of Emperor Fasiledas is filled with water every year for the

Timket ceremony.

Gon

dar

Restorative work of some of the paintings found in the remarkable monasteries and churches on

the island of Lake Tana. The thirty-seven islands of Lake Tana shelter twenty monasteries –

surviving remnants of an old, contemplative tradition.

The starting point of any visit to the Blue Nile Falls, or to the islands of Lake Tana, is the bustling

market town of Bahir Dar. The wide, palm-lined avenues and gardens overflowing with tropical

vegetation, and the variety of handicrafts and weaving centers make it a comfortable base for

excursions either by land or by water.

Blue N

ile Falls

The northern most stop along the route,

Axum is the site of Ethiopia’s most ancient

city and is renowned for its Cathedral of St.

Mary of Zion where, it is claimed, the

original Ark of the Covenant is housed. Axum

is also famous for its seven mysterious and

ancient monolithic steale, all hewn from

single pieces of granite, some of which are

carved with images of doors and windows.

The biggest, 33 meters long and weighing

over 500 tonnes, was the largest monolith in

the world, but fell at some remote period in

the past.

Now a small town, surrounded by dry hills,

Axum still yields evidence of the splendours

and pageantry of its glorious past: a wealth

of temples, fortress and rich palaces.

Adding substance to ancient legends of fire

breathing monsters and testifying to the lost

truths embedded in myths and fables, the

bones of bygone eras protrude everywhere

through the soil. Even today, long buried

hordes of gold, silver and bronze coins are

exposed by heavy downpours of rains…

Axum

The modern chapel of St. Mary of Zion at Axum is said to contain the sacred Ark of the Covenant, but no one

but the Orthodox priests who serves as the chapel’s custodian is allowed to enter the building. The chapel

which replaced the earlier building was opened by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1965, accompanied by Britain’s

Queen Elizabeth II.

Debre Damo is unique and

unforgettable. The bluff

on which Debre Damo

stands is a real life

Shangri-La. Remote and

beautiful, far from the

hustle and bustle of the

21st century, the cool

celestial island of rock

offers panoramic views of

surrounding countryside

and complete seclusion

and peace for the hundred

or so monks and deacons

who live there.

The last stop on the circular historic route is

Lalibela; known as one of the ‘Eighth wonder

of the World’. This is a legendary city curved

from solid rock. It is just as remarkable close

up as it is at a distance. It is the

camouflages, chameleon quality; however,

that gives the remote underground

settlement its special and lasting place in the

life of the highlands. HERE, SOME 800 years

ago, safe from the prying eyes and plundering

hands of hostile interlopers, a noble king

fashioned a secret marvel. Lalibela,

previously known as Roha, is named after the

king. Legend says that the churches were

built at a great speed with the help of

angels. Debre Damo

Lalibela

The Grand Mosque at Harar with

its two white-washed minarets

dominates a broad courtyard. An

important Muslim centre, Harar

attracts pilgrim from all parts of

the Islamic world.

No journey along Ethiopia’s

fabled historic route would be

complete without a visit to the

medieval walled city of Harar

which stands amid green

mountains on the east wall of the

Great Rift Valley.

Harar has managed to retain

the charm of its medieval

character and past glory. The

cultural diversity is best

expressed in the old market and

the Grand Mosque (Al-Jami),

which dominates the centre of

the city.

Harar

Near the mosque stands the imposing octagonal Cathedral of

MedhaneAlem, Holy Saviour which contains a gallery of

traditional religious maidens in long, extravagantly following

coloured dresses come to barter and buy amongst the elegant

Moorish archways.