Aksum (Axum)
Axum is one of the highlights of any trip to Ethiopia. Axum was the capital of the Tigray for 2 000 years and suposedly the place where the Queen of Sheba lived. According to Ethiopian legend the Ark remains in the 17th-century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion built by Emperor Haile Selasie, who also happens to be the 227th direct decedent of Menelik 1 (refer to the personal essay under the section “The Ark of the Covenant”, for background information) . Unfortunately the chapel is guarded night and day by a monk who refuses to let anyone check out the story. The chapel is considered too holy for anyone to enter, except the chosen guardian monk. Although the civil war left its scars, most of Axums ruins which date from AD 400 remain untouched. They include palaces buildings and 11 large stelae or obelisks each carved from a single piece of stone (some as tall as 75 ft/22 m). Other attractions include the ruins of the Queen of Shebas palace the Queens well (still in use) and a display (in a modern church) of the crowns of ancient kings and Queens.
Related Travel Information
Gondar
Gondar was founded by Emperor Fasilidas in 1635. This place is famous for its many medieval castles and the design and decoration of its churches - in particular, Debra Berhan Selassie which represents a masterpiece of the Gondarene school of art.
Gondar is probably the most immediately impressive of Ethiopia's major ex-capitals, but it is perhaps less enduringly memorable than either Axum or Lalibela. Gondar is one of Ethiopia's largest cities, yet it has retained its friendly character and is generally considered to be one of the most welcoming towns on the 'tourist route'. Much of the modern town centre
Yeha
Yeha - the countrys earliest high civilisation.
Yeha lies several hours drive from the more accessible city of Axum, The journey through rough tracks and dramatic highland scenery and eventually ends in a beautiful and serene agricultural hamlet. It is there, close to a much more recent Christian church, that you may see the towering ruins of Yehas Temple of the Moon - built more than 2,500 years ago, in Sabaean times. The temple is an imposing rectangular edifice. Though it has long since lost its roof and upper storeys the ruins stand some twelve metres in height. As evening falls,
