Ethiopia Historical Attraction
A journey along the historic route is a treasure house of nature, culture and historic riches. Along this northern route, the ancient city of Axum, the rock hewn churches of Lalibela, the city of Gondar with its 17th century castle buildings, the walled city of Harar and its Gates. the marvelous Semien Mountain chains, the romantic city of Bahirdar, the majestic Blue Nile Falls, Lake Tana with its island monasteries, Debre Damo, Yeha Temple, Tigrai, the open-air museum (the home of rock churches) can be visited.
Axum
It is the oldest (Ancient) city of Ethiopia; Axum is the only one which also exists today as a modern town. It history goes 2,000 years back. It was the capital of Axumite kingdom. Now, the most obvious existing remains are the huge stone monoliths, or stele some still standing. Axum also to be the place where the original ark of the covenant is housed. It is known for its great steles. The place ruins of different Axumite kings with their underground tombs. The archeological museum and St Mary of Zion church compound. Furthermore the imposing ruins of yeha’s temple and Debre Damo monastery. Both erected in the 5th century B.C can be visited around Axum.
Lalibela
It is one of the holiest places in Ethiopia. Its rock hewn churches, carved from the monolithic granites, are indeed recognized as one of the wonders of the world and listed as world heritages. They are not just caves hewn in the rock, but are completely freed from the stone out of which they were cut. Generally, large trenches were excavated on all sides of a rectangle leaving isolated in the center a huge block of granite. This rock was then shaped and formed both inside and out. In some, the carvings and pillars show extremely skilful workmanship. Tradition holds that even angels were involved in the construction of these magnificent edifices. It is also known for other monolithic and semi – monolithic churches constructed around the town.
Around Lalibela: Neakuto Le’ab cave church, Yimrehane Kirstos built up cave church, Asheton Mariyam etc.
Gondar
It is an ancient town, which was the capital of Ethiopia in the 17th century. The sights of Gonder are the castles contained with an imperial enclosure. The ancient churches and monasteries, known for their age old mural paintings, and Felasha (Black Jews) villages are some of the best attraction of Gondar. The Semien mountain National Park commonly known as the “roof of Africa”
Debredamo
The first Ethiopian Monastery, on an impressive amba surrounded by vertical walls. To reach Debre Damo, visitors have to climb up ropes thrown down by the monks above. Debre Damo is noted for ancient illuminated manuscripts, which are the oldest in the country, a great illuminated bible
Yeha Temple
The journey through Ethiopias historic route takes you on rough tracks. It is here that you may see the towering ruins of Yeha’s Temple. The oldest standing structure in Ethiopia is located in Yeha; it is a tower built in the Sabaean style, and dated to either the 8th or 7th century BC. Ethiopias historic route begins with a glance at the tantalizing remains of Yeha.
Tigray Rock Churches
The Scenery of Gheralta is spectacular. The view of graceful Mountain Gheralta and the far reaching Hawazien plain is a rare combination of extraordinary beauty.
Gheralta Rock Churches
Gheralta, North – West of Mekele, the capital of Tigrai, is the home of a quarter of the churches, some famous for their stone workmanship, ancient paintings and old manuscripts, and others known for their magnificent view and difficult ascent. Such great churches as Abune Yemata (Guh), Mariam Korkor, Mariam Papasit, Debresion (Abune Abraham), Mikael Emba, Mikael Barka, Petros/ Pawlos, Yohannes / Adikesho Medhanialem, Abreha atsbeha, Maequddi and Silasie Degum, etc are in the very heart of Gheralta, Making it the home of rock churches of Tigrai.
The Walled City of Harar
The walled city of Harar and its Gates. which stands amid green mountains on the east wall of the Great Rift Valley. Harar’s heritage is almost entirely Muslim and Oriental. Harar has probably always had a great deal more in common with with the Horn’s coastal culture than with the life of the highlands- and it retains to this day a certain redolence of the orient.The most dominant features, apart from its strong encircling walls, is itss rich and exciting market place.
Bahirdar
The City of Bahirdar is situated on the southern extremity of Lake Tana. Bahirdar is the gateway to the Historic route and destinations of Ethiopia. The city provides access to both the lake and its many islands, and the Blue Nile Falls ( Tis Isat or Abay).
Lake Tana Monasteries: Kibran Gebriel, Ura Kidanemihret, Azwan Mariyam, Entos Eyesus, Daga Estifanos etc
Blue Nile Falls