Axum

Axum was once the busy hub of a state that ranked with Rome, Persia and China as one of the four great kingdoms of the world. Its history goes back more than 2000 years and it was the centre of one of the first civilizations to adopt Christianity as a state religion.
Before Axum the town of Yeha was the centre of the earliest high civilization in northern Ethiopia. The remains of this ancient city are the towering, yellow limestone ruins of the Temple of the moon, which dates back to the 5th Century BC. The temple was built by Sabaeans who migrated to Africa across the Red Sea from south Arabia. Inscription, Bronze made articles and other artifacts excavated since 1909 are some of the attractions.
After Yeha, Axum arose as an important center in the Horn of Africa, extending from the eastern Sudan to Berbera in the Gulf of Aden.
Menelik I, after his visit to his father, King Solomon, returned back with first-born sons of Israel’s high officials as well as people from each of the twelve tribes of Israel and the Ark of the Covenant. Today, the Ark of the Covenant is kept in the Church of Saint Mary of Zion in Axum.
Axum is well known for its tallest Obelisks in the world. Researchers believe these monoliths were erected to mark the passing of some ancient royal family. Archaeologists compare them to Britain’s Stonehenge and to smaller ones in Yemen and Egypt – all believed to function as some kind of solar or astronomical measuring device. According to archaeologists from Cambridge University ninety-seven percent of Axum’s prehistory is unrevealed.

Gondar

Gondar was home to emperors and warlords in the 17th and 18th Centuries. It became capital of Ethiopia during the reign of Emperor Fasiledas (1632 – 1667) who established the tradition of building castles.
Gondar emerged as the largest settlement in the country after Ethiopia went through a long period without a fixed capital. It was an important administrative, Commercial, Religious, and cultural centre and was noted for the skill of its many craftsmen.

Lalibela

As the power of Axum has declined in 922 AD a new Zagwe Dynasty took over and the capital moved south-east from Axum to Lasta, 240 kilometers away. Lasta, latter born the name Lalibela, name of King Lalibela (1181 – 1221). Eleven rock hewn churches, described as ‘eighth wonder of the world’ are located in Lalibela. Lalibela is registered as world heritage site by UNESCO.
A tourist can visit other rock hewn churches within a day’s journey of Lalibela. Access to them requires long walks and stiff climbs or rides by mule.

Harar

Harar is among the oldest cities of the country. Known for its olden Wall and Gates, the city consists of 99 mosques and a number of shrines and taken as the fourth holiest city of Islam by Ethiopian Muslims.
Here church and mosque share the same fence for this awarded by UNESCO, for the people living in harmony. The Harari people are known for handicrafts, including weaving, basket-making and book binding. ‘Rimbaud House’ which is named after the famous French Poet, who lived there, is worthy seeing.
Last but not least, the hyena feeding process commonly known as ‘the hyena man’ is wonderful.

Lake Tana

Ethiopia’s largest water surface has immense historical interests. More than 20 of its islands have monasteries and churches of historical significance that date back to many centuries. Mural arts depicting biblical stories & history of the Orthodox Church and other innumerable treasures are fascinating attractions.