Tailor Made Holidays, Discover Ethiopia

The nation’s capital lies in the central highlands at 2,400 metres (7,874 ft) and is the third highest capital city in the world. It enjoys a pleasant spring-like climate throughout the year. There is much to see in and around the city. Highlights include the National Museum, which contains a marvellous collection of photographs from the early days of the city, and the Kiddist Selassie (Trinity Cathedral), one of the most magnificent churches in Ethiopia. The revered 20th century emperor, Haile Selassie, now lies in the Trinity Cathedral, reburied in 2000, 25 years after his death. Also worth seeing is the Bet Maryam, the oldest of Addis’s churches, an attractive square stonebuilt church with 4 Axumite-style colonnaded arches on each of its exterior walls, and carved lions guarding the entrance. A Full day excursion with picnic lunch can be arranged to visit the renowned monastery at Debre Libanos, founded in the 13th century in a dramatic canyon. Debre Libanos was the political centre of the Ethiopian Church for some four centuries.

Axum is the oldest city in Ethiopia and the holiest city of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Surprisingly little is known of the great Axumite civilization that flourished in the first 7 centuries AD. Only a tiny fraction of the archaeological sites around Axum have been excavated, so much that has so far been written about the Axumite history is based largely on conjecture. What you can see, however, is impressive, particularly the famous free-standing monolithic stelae – there are some 75 of them, of various shapes and sizes. The biggest, a 23 metre (75 ft) towering block of solid granite, is accredited to King Ezana; the stele is carved with a door and 9 windows, thought to symbolise the door and 9 chambers of the king’s tomb. Even larger, at 33 metres or 108 ft, but no longer standing, is the stele of the 3rd century King Ramhai. The Church of St. Mary of Zion in Axum is reputed to be the resting place of the sacred Ark of the Covenant. An excursion into the surrounding countryside can be taken to the Gudit Stelae Field, more commonly known as the Palace of the Queen of Sheba,who is believed to be buried here.

Imperial capital of Ethiopia in the 17th century,Gondar is known as the ‘City of Castles’ and lies beneath the Simien Mountains in a strategic hilltop location at 2,200 metres.(7,217 ft) Surrounded by high stone walls, the Fasil Ghebbi (or Royal Enclosure) lies at the heart of the town and gives the city much of its character. No fewer than 5 castles can be found here, including the impressive two-storey Palace of Emperor Fasildas, hewn out of brown basalt and showing a unique combination of Portuguese, Axumite and even Indian influences. Gondar was also a religious centre, with more than a dozen churches. The most important standing today is the superb church of Debre Birhan Selassie,whose ceilings are covered with paintings of 80 winged angels, and which is generally regarded as containing the finest art of its period anywhere in Ethiopia.

Lalibela has been with justification labelled the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. The mysterious rock-cut churches of Lalibela have been in continuous use since their construction more than 700 years ago. Each of the 11 churches is architecturally unique; some lie almost hidden in deep trenches, others stand in open quarried caves. All of the churches are carved below ground level, some reaching more than 30 feet high, and are linked together by a complex network of tunnels and narrow passageways. Many of the interiors are adorned with beautiful,wellpreserved frescoes.You may wish to plan your visit to coincide with the fascinating Saturday market at Lalibela; it’s also interesting to witness Sunday prayers next day. An excursion outside Lalibela can be made to the Yemrehanna Monastery, a remarkably beautiful structure in typical Axumite style.