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Visit Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a fantastic East African destination.
I had the opportunity to visit Ethiopia and explore its major historical sites.
Considered as the cradle of mankind, Ethiopia is the oldest region of human settlement.
I urge everyone to give Ethiopia a chance and discover its friendly people, breathtaking landscapes, and incredible ancient history.
Ethiopia – the first Christian nation – holds fantastic religious buildings and other historical destinations with castles, palaces, and hundreds-year-old mausoleums.
On this page, I make a list of 37 historical places to travel in Ethiopia which are undoubtedly the country’s major tourist attractions. Don’t forget to leave a comment and share this page with your friends.
Short facts about Ethiopia:
- Zipporah – Moses’s wife – was an Ethiopian.
- Queen of Sheba – an Ethiopian – had a son with King Solomon of Israel.
- King Solomon’s reign dates back from 970 until 931 BC.
- Emperor Menelik I, King Solomon and Queen of Sheba’s son, founded the dynasty that ruled Ethiopia until the 1970’s.
- The Ark of the Covenant was brought from Jerusalem to Ethiopia by Menelik I, following his visit to his father King Solomon.
- The holiest shrine in Ethiopia is the Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion in Axum, where The Ark of the Covenant is kept.
- The Ark of the Covenant contains Moses Ten Commandments stone tablets.
- Ethiopia is often mentioned in the Bible.
- In the Acts of the Apostles – the fifth book of the New Testament – an Ethiopian was the first person baptized into the Christian faith.
- Apostle Matthew evangelized Ethiopia during the first century AD.
- During the reign of Emperor Ezana, Christianity became Ethiopia state religion in the fourth century AD.
- Ethiopia borders Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya and the Republic of Djibouti.
- Ethiopia is the second African country by population.
- Ethiopia is considered the cradle of humanity, as the oldest specimens of Homo sapiens were discovered there in 2003.
- World Heritage Sites in Ethiopia: Aksum, Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region, the Fortified Historic Town of Harar Jugol, Konso Cultural Landscape, Lower Valley of the Awash, Lower Valley of the Omo, Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Tiya and Simien National Park.
Historical Places to Visit Ethiopia
1-Atatami Kidus Mikael Church
18th century Gondar Atatami Kidus Mikael church built by Emperor Dawit III, Ethiopia.
Quick facts about Atatami Kidus Mikael Church:
- The church of St. Michael
- Built during the reign of Emperor Dawit III (1716-1721)
2-Debre Birhan Selassie Church
17th Century Debre Birhan Selassie church built by Emperor Eyasu II in Gondar, Ethiopia.
The interior of 17th Century Debre Birhan Selassie church built by Emperor Eyasu II in Gondar, Ethiopia.
Quick facts about Debre Birhan Selassie Church:
- The church name means Mount of Light of the Trinity
- Built in the reign of Emperor Iyasu I and consecrated in 1694
- The paintings were made between 1815 and 1825
- The building is 27 m long and 7.4 m wide
3-Gondar Castle
17th century Gondar Castle founded by Emperor Fasilidas, Ethiopia.
Quick facts about Gondar Castle:
- This building is the remains of an old fortress-city
- The name in local language is Fasil Ghebbi
- Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979
- Covers an area of about 70,000 square meters
- Founded by Emperor Fasilides in the 17th and 18th centuries
4-Bet Giyorgis Church
12th century rock-hewn Church of Bet Giyorgis in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
5-Emir Nur Tomb
Emir Nur Muslim Tomb in Harar, Ethiopia.
6-Yeha Temple
Yeha Temple is the oldest standing structure in Ethiopia, Tigray Region, Ethiopia.
Yeha Temple entrance, Ethiopia.
7-Grat Beal Gebri Ruins
Ruins of Grat Beal Gebri in Yeha, Ethiopia.
8-St George’s Cathedral
St George’s Orthodox Cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Emperor Haile Selassie was crowned there in 1930.
9-Gebre Meskel Tombs
Inside the Gebre Meskel Tombs in Axum, Ethiopia.
Outside the Gebre Meskel Tombs in Axum, Ethiopia.
10-Our Lady Mary of Zion Church
Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum, Ethiopia.
11-Bet Gabriel and Rufael Church
Rock-Hewn Church of Bet Gabriel and Rufael in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
12-Chapel of the Tablet
The Chapel of the Tablet at the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum, Ethiopia.
13-Queen of Sheba’s Palace
Dungur, the Ruins of Queen of Sheba’s Palace in Axum, Ethiopia.
14-Queen of Sheba’s Bath
Queen of Sheba’s Bath reservoir in Axum, Ethiopia.
15-Northern Stelae Park
1700-year-old Northern Stelae Park in Axum, Ethiopia.
16-Lioness of Gobedra
The Lioness of Gobedra 3 m / 10 ft Stone Carving in Axum, Ethiopia.
17-King Ezana Inscription Stone
King Ezana fourth century AD Inscription stone in Axum, Ethiopia.
18-King Bazen Tomb
Inside the King Bazen Tomb in Axum, Ethiopia.
19-Bet Medhane Alem Church
Inside Rock-Hewn Church of Bet Medhane Alem in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
20-Gudit Stelae Field
Gudit Stelae Field in Axum, Ethiopia.
21-Axum Stone quarries
Ancient stone quarries in Axum, Ethiopia.
22-Ethnological Museum
Addis Ababa Ethnological Museum and Haile Selassie’s former palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
23-National Museum of Ethiopia
National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
24-Yekatit 12 Monument
Yekatit 12 Square Monument in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
25-Meyazia 27 Monument
Meyazia 27 Square Monument in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
26-Fasiladas Bath Timket
Fasiladas Bath Timket in Gondar, Ethiopia.
27-Nova Gorgora
17th century Portuguese Jesuit settlement of Nova Gorgora in Lake Tana, Ethiopia.
17th century Portuguese Jesuit settlement of Nova Gorgora in Lake Tana, Ethiopia.
28-Harar
The Fortified Historic Town Harar Jugol, Ethiopia.
[message_box type=”attention”]Read the page: Feeding Hyenas in Ethiopia.[/message_box]
29-Arthur Rimbaud House Museum
Arthur Rimbaud House Museum in Harar, Ethiopia.
30-Bet Uraiel Church
Rock-Hewn Church of Bet Uraiel in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
31-Sheikh Abadir Tomb
Sheikh Abadir Muslim Tomb in Harar, Ethiopia.
32-Abdella Sherif City Museum
Abdella Sherif City Museum in Harar, Ethiopia.
33-Bet Abba Libanos Church
Rock-Hewn Church of Bet Abba Libanos in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
34-Bet Amanuel Church
Rock-Hewn Church of Bet Amanuel in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
35-Bet Golgotha Church
Rock-Hewn Church of Bet Golgotha in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
36-Bet Maryam Church
Rock-Hewn Church of Bet Maryam in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
37-Bet Merkorios Church
Rock-Hewn Church of Bet Merkorios in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
