IF YOU ARE IN ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia is in the horn of Africa. It has a long and great history.

It is often described as a land of enchantment Ethiopia has been a constant subject of interest for historians, archaeologists, anthropologists and a favorite destination for tourists. It ancient civilization, religious relics, cultural and historical heritages have been a source of inspiration to many historians and archaeologists who are constantly craving to discover more and learn about the human origin. The majestic highlands and mountains on one hand and the lowland depressions on the other make a beautiful contrast and contribute to the uniqueness of the land formation.  

The widely varying habitats, which include mountains, rivers, lakes, deserts, savannahs etc, have an astonishing array of wild life and bird life, many of which are endemic to Ethiopia.

Its flora and fauna riches make Ethiopia especially unique among the foreign tourists. Here you can find the endemic wild animals such us mountain Nyala, red fox, Menelik Bushbuck and others.

Ethiopia is the source to he blue Nile, which contributes 85% of the waters of he Nile. 

Ethiopia’s splendid rock-hewn churches and colorful religious ceremonies, centuries-old Moslues are some of the tourist attraction sites in the country.

But, all the spectacular scenery, its unique fauna and the different religious ceremonies are nothing to express the character for this ancient land if one fails to notice the charming, kind and friendly peoples of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is the one of various nations and nationalities each with its own distinctive language, cultural heritages, crafts and costumes. 

Its century old capital, Addis Ababa, is also a seat of the AU, ECA and to her international   organizations and various embassies. Today, Addis Ababa, which bears the imprint of many of the past developments, is a major metropolis, with an estimated population of five million. 

In this beautiful city one could possibly observe the heterogeneity of the Ethiopian peoples.

Here, you can find the different members of the nations and nationalities of Ethiopia mingling and living in harmony.  

HISTORICAL PLACES,TOURIST ATTRACTION SIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS PLACES

Obelisks of Axum

Quite remarkable artifacts of the Axumites, particularly colossal stelae, hacked from single pieces of rock are symbolic to eh ancient Ethiopia civilization.

The work reflects a considerable manpower and artistic ability and a high level of architectural, technical and mathematical skills of the ancient people.

The axumites has also introduced a written language Ge’ez, and have created a new imperial power and political cohesion.

The obelisks of Axum are registered in the world he dritage list of the UNESCO. This historical site id found in Axum, Tigray. There is a daily flight to Axum.

Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela

The rock-hewn churches of lalibela  are the most impressive collections of the country’s many cave churches.

The 10 monolithic churches hewn out of light rocks were registered in the world heritage list of UNESCO in sep.1978  

All lalibela churches are said to have been engraved in the 12^th and 13^th century. Lalibela is a town found in Amhara Region.There is a daily flight to Lalibela. 

Tiya Stele

Tiya is one of the most attractive archaeological sites found in Ethiopia. The site holds 36 stelae, probably tombstones of 500 years old.

Tiya stelae field is found 88kms away from Addis Ababa in the southern nations, Nationalities and peoples Region.

The site is registered in the list of world heritage.  

Harar Walls

Nur Ibn al Wazir Mujahid, a nephew to Ahmad Gragn built these stout walls in the fifteenth century.

The walls have encircled the whole city and the Harari people have been living almost entirely within it for more than 300 years, maintaining their own language, customs and crafts. Harar is  also known as the fourth sacred place of Islam. Harar is located at 526 kms to the east of Addis Ababa. 

Castles of Gondar

Nestled in the foothills of the Simien Mountains in northwestern Ethiopia, Gondar had been the capital during the region of Emperor Fasilades (1632-1667) who built the first batch of a number of castle-like palaces.  

The oldest and most impressive one is the two-storeyed palace of Emperor Fasilades, built of roughly brown basalt stones.

Gondar is about 748 kms from Addis Ababa Ethiopian Air Lines makes a daily flight from Addis to Gondar.  

Entoto Mountain

Entoto Mountain is where Emperor Menelik the 2^nd, who ruled Ethiopia from 1890 to 1914, settled before he shifted his seat to the present place, Addis in 1886.He was also crowned Emperor at the Entoto Saint Mary church of St. Mary and a museum.

Between the two sites there is  an open space from which visitors could possibly enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding environs of the capital.The church and the museum exhibit religious relics, which are of great interest to visitors.Furthermore, a number of ate facts, royal costumes and crafts are on display in the museum.  

Blue Nile Falls  

It is locally known as “Tis Abay” or ‘Water that smokes’ the Blue Nile falls is the most dramatic spectacle that the whole Nile system has to offer. The Blue Nile Falls is 400 meters wide. It drops over a sheer chasm more than 45 meters deep. And the falls throw up a continuous spray of water droplets that drench on lookers up to a kilometer away. It is about 20 kms away from the town of Bahir Dar. Ethiopian  air lines fly daily to Bahir Dar .

Sof  Omar Caves

So Omar is an extraordinary natural phenomenon of breathtaking beauty. Not far fom the Bale mountains, this spectacular cavern is now an important Islamic shrine named after the saintly sheikh Sof Omar who took refuge here many centuries ago. In this dry and cool cavernous depth, nature has worked a marvel of architecture.

Soaring pillars of stone, which are twenty meters high and tall airy vaults standing on a balcony near the roof are the features of the cave. And on could possibly enjoy a spectacular view of the web river rushing below.

This spectacular scenery is found in bale, 540 kms from Addis Ababa.

Entoto Mariam Church

Located on the tip of Entoto Mountain, the church was built by Emperor Menelik the 2^nd in 1882.  

St. George church

S. George church is one of Addis Ababa’s finest Ethiopian Orthodox churches where Emperor Haile Selassie who ruled Ethiopia from 1931 to 1974 was crowned. It is an astonishing work of architecture. 

Debre Damo Church  

It is an amazing ancient monastery found in Tigray. Only those who dare to climb the mountain on which the monastery lies, using a rope, reach Debre Damo.

Because of the traditional belief, women are not allowed to enter the church.

St. Mary Tsion of Axum

This church is said to be the last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The church is found in Axum, Tigray. The church attracts many visitors.  

Yeha’s Temple of the Moon

A large pre-Christian shrine erected around the fifth century B.C, it is found in Tigray. 

Kidist Selassie church

The church is found in Gondar. And its rectangular structure is decorated with beautiful winged angels and walls that depict biblical events. 

The Palace of the Queen of Sheba

This palace is located at outskirts of the town of Axum.

The foundations together with the impressive drainage system of the palace are admirable.  

Ahmad Negash Mosque

Negash or Nejashi (its Arabic version) is as old as the faith of Islam. 

The historical mosque is found in Tigray. The name, Negash, derived from king Armah “Nejashi” 

The Jame Mosque

This mosque is found in harar and its slender minaret was built in 1761

The grand Mosque

This great mosque is found at the center of Addis Ababa. It is an amazing sight for tourists particularly on Fridays, when thousands of Muslims make their prayers. 

Merkato the largest open-air market in Africa. Here you can bargain everything from your daily necessities to other different are facts and curios.  

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

This magnificent work of architecture was built for the commemoration of the African people’s unity in 1971.

The mosaic stained glass work of the famous maitre artist world Laureate Afework Tekle is found at the main reception area. The ECA is found in Addis Ababa. 

The National Museum

This museum exhibits the 3.2 million years old female fossil. Lucy and other fossils as well as ancient stone tools.

It is the richest collection that helps anthropologists for further studies of the human origin. At the museum visitors could take a spiritual. journey to millions of years back to trace their ancestors.

Open from Mon-sun 8:30 pm: except national holidays: National Museum of Ethiopia, P.O.Box 76, tel. 119113 fax 251(1) 553188,near St. Mary Church, A.A. 

Ethnographic Museum

This museum is found in the old palace of the late Emperor. It comprises the bedroom of the emperor, which imitates the European culture.This museum also exhibits some of the personal gifts given to the emperor. Working hours Tue-Fri 8:30am, 1:30-5:30pm: sat-sun 10:00am-6:00Pm: tel. 5113180 : p.o.box 8663; Bole Road.

The Permanent Exhibition of Ethiopian Tourism Commission

The exhibition portrays the history of mankind from origin to the contemporary period. Open from 9:00-1:00am -3:00-6:00pm except on public holidays; p.o.box 2183:tel517470: fax 513899,at Meskal Sqare, A.A  

St. George cathedral museum The museum displays costumes of spiritual leaders and sacred rulers, crosses, religious books written on parchments and many others.

Emperor Menelik’s astounding victory over colonial Italians, according to the Emperor, came due to the presence of the Ark, ‘Tabot’ which he took from St. George church to the battlefield. Mon-Fri 8:30-12:00am, 2:00-5:00pm: tel 114698: p.o.box 22088, near the Addis Ababa Municipality.