DEBRE-DAMO MONASTERY

The ancient monastery of DEBRE-DAMO dates back to early Axumite period and is considered to be the oldest church in the country. Unlike other monasteries and churches, DEBRE-DAMO is built on the edge of a cliff accessible only by a rope.

YEHA'S TEMPLE OF THE MOON

A large pre-Christian shrine, erected around the 5th century B.C, is found in northern part of Ethiopia. Its massive walls house Judaic relics and historic artifacts.

THE MONASTERIES OF LAKE TANA

LAKE TANA, which is about 200 km south of Gondar, has about 37 islands with several monasteries famous for their religious relics, sacred artifacts, and mummified remains of emperors, crowns and the ARK OF THE COVENANT.

ETHIOPIA has the longest recorded history, which goes back as far as 3000 years before the birth of Christ. During this long period of history, the Ethiopian people have left behind them remains of their civilization and culture in different parts of the country. Among several such remains, some of the popular frequently visited historic sites are THE STELAE OF AXUM, DEBRE-DAMO MONASTERY, THE ROCK HEWN CHURCHES OF LALIBELA, THE CASTLES OF GONDER, THE MONASTERIES OF LAKE TANA, THE WALLED CITY OF HARRAR, and THE PALACE OF ABBA JIFFAR AND SHEIK HUSSEIN.

THE STELAE OF AXUM

AXUM, the source and seat of the ancient Ethiopian civilization, houses seven giant stelae/obelisks. Most of these giant obelisks have fallen and one of these was taken to Rome during the Italian invasion in 1937. The largest obelisk, which is 35 meters long and which weighs 500 tons, is the biggest piece of stone ever cut by humanity anywhere in the world. The most impressive obelisk, 24 meters in height, stands near another broken obelisk. The ruin of the queen of Sheba's palace and the ARK OF THE COVENANT is believed to have been found all around Axum.

THE ROCK HEWN CHURCHES OF LALIBELA

LALIBELA, the eighth wonder of the world as many travelers and travel writers say, is Ethiopia's prime tourist attraction. It is the site of eleven remarkable rock hewn monolithic churches, believed to have been built by king LALIBELA (1205-1225) in the late twelfth or early thirteenth century.

THE CASTLES OF GONDAR

GONDAR, situated in northwestern part of the country is the 17th to 19th century capital of Ethiopia during the reign of Emperor FASILEDES. Its medieval glory is reflected in the famous castles. The oldest and most impressive one is the two-storey palace of Emperor FASILEDES, built from roughly brown basalt stones. The town of Gondar has been the center of trade and culture.

RIMBAUD HOUSE

THE 19TH century French poet ARTUR RIMBAUD visited HARRAR and built a house for himself in the center of the walled city. The house is built of wood and brightly colored glasses.

THE PALACE OF ABBA JIFFAR

The palace of ABBA JIFFAR is one of the most significant cultural attractions in the western Ethiopia. The palace is situated on the mountain top, north of the town of JIMMA, and from here visitors can take a panoramic view of the town and the surrounding mountain chains. The is built of wood and wooden material

SHEIK HUSSEIN

This religious shrine in bale province, located on the edge of the wabe-shebele river gorge, is considered by Ethiopian Muslims as the second Mecca. Muslim pilgrims gather from all over the country, usually in March and April for prayer, to partake in a ceremony organized in memory of their religious leader, who taught and preached Islam at this very site 800 years ago. The body of this holy man is buried at this shrine.

THE WALLED CITY OF HARRAR

The city of HARRAR, one of the oldest cities in the country was founded in the 7th century A.D. the walls were built by one of HARAR'S most notable rulers, AMIR NUR IBN AL-WAZIR MUJAHID. The walls encircle the old town of HARAR. The HARARI people have been living in the walled town of HARAR for more than 300 years, maintaining their own language, customs and crafts. The importance of HARRAR, however, came later between the 10th and 11th century, when it became an important center of the Islamic faith in the region, the historic wall surrounding the city has been built for defense during this time. HARRAR is also known as the peaceful and co-existence city of the world as announced by UNESCO.