Legend has it that Emperor Menelik I, is the son of Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, brought the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Axum where he established one of the world’s longest known, uninterrupted monarchical dynasties. Ethiopia’s histories encompass legend and tradition mystery and fact, from a powerful and religious ancient civilization.
Historical Ethiopia …Yellow limestone ruins of the ‘Temple of the Moon’ dates back to the 5th century BC. The edifice with its precise-fitting blocks of stone was built by the Sabean Civilization. Yeha is famed for its inscriptions and fine objects of bronze and other artifacts which have been excavated over the past century. Your travel to such place is not only one with unforgettable memories but one that fills your whole being with pleasure and energy.
Traveling the route by air road, or a combination of both, provides a glimpse into a remarkable past. The well-trodden path through Ethiopia’s fascinating historic places takes you through a magnificent, scenic world of legendary names such as Lalibela, Axum, Gondar, DebreDamo, Bahr Dar and Harar. The past comes alive in this fascinating land in the form of strange and beautiful churches, monuments and ruins. Ethiopia is truly a land of discoverybrilliant and beautiful secretive, mysterious and extraordinary. Ethiopia’s historic route begins with a glance at the tantalizing remains of Yeha – the centre of the earliest civilization in northern Ethiopia. The journey takes you on rough tracks through the dramatic highland scenery ending in a serene agricultural hamlet…
Gondar
The graceful city of Gondar was founded by Emperor Fasiledes around 1635, famous for its many medieval castles and the design and decoration of its churches. Flanked by twin mountain streams Gondar retains an atmosphere of antique charm mingled with an aura of mystery. The city was once a vigorous and vital centre of religious learning and art. . For more than two hundred years skilled instruction in painting, music, dance, poetry and many other disciplines thrived. Fasiledas and his successors saw their elegant capital as a phoenix and so patronised the arts. The so-called bathing palace of Emperor Fasiledas is filled with water every year for the Timket ceremony.
The starting point of any visit to the Blue Nile Falls, or to the islands of Lake Tana, is the bustling market town of Bahir Dar. The wide, palm-lined avenues and gardens overflowing with tropical vegetation, and the variety of handicrafts and weaving centers make it a comfortable base for excursions either by land or by water.
Axum
The northern most stop along the route, Axum is the site of Ethiopia’s most ancient city and is renowned for its Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion where, it is claimed, the original Ark of the Covenant is housed. Axum is also famous for its seven mysterious and ancient monolithic steale, all hewn from single pieces of granite, some of which are carved with images of doors and windows. The biggest, 33 meters long and weighing over 500 tonnes, was the largest monolith in the world, but fell at some remote period in the past. Now a small town, surrounded by dry hills, Axum still yields evidence of the splendours and pageantry of its glorious past: a wealth of temples, fortress and rich palaces. Adding substance to ancient legends of fire breathing monsters and testifying to the lost truths embedded in myths and fables, the bones of bygone eras protrude everywhere through the soil. Even today, long buried hordes of gold, silver and bronze coins are exposed by heavy downpours of rains‌
Blue Nile Falls
Restorative work of some of the paintings found in the remarkable monasteries and churches on the island of Lake Tana. The thirty-seven islands of Lake Tana shelter twenty monasteries – surviving remnants of an old, contemplative tradition.
The modern chapel of St. Mary of Zion at Axum is said to contain the sacred Ark of the Covenant, but no one but the Orthodox priests who serves as the chapel’s custodian is allowed to enter the building. The chapel which replaced the earlier building was opened by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1965, accompanied by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.
Lalibela Debre Damo is unique and unforgettable. The bluff on which Debre Damo stands is a real life Shangri-La. Remote and beautiful, far from the hustle and bustle of the 21st century, the cool celestial island of rock offers panoramic views of surrounding countryside and complete seclusion and peace for the hundred or so monks and deacons who live there.
Debre Damo
The last stop on the circular historic route is Lalibela; known as one of the ‘Eighth wonder of the World’. This is a legendary city curved from solid rock. It is just as remarkable close up as it is at a distance. It is the camouflages, chameleon quality; however, that gives the remote underground settlement its special and lasting place in the life of the highlands. HERE, SOME 800 years ago, safe from the prying eyes and plundering hands of hostile interlopers, a noble king fashioned a secret marvel. Lalibela, previously known as Roha, is named after the king. Legend says that the churches were built at a great speed with the help of angels.
No journey along Ethiopia’s fabled historic route would be complete without a visit to the medieval walled city of Harar which stands amid green mountains on the east wall of the Great Rift Valley. Harar has managed to retain the charm of its medieval character and past glory. The cultural diversity is best expressed in the old market and the Grand Mosque (Al-Jami), which dominates the centre of the city.
Harar
The Grand Mosque at Harar with its two white-washed minarets dominates a broad courtyard. An important Muslim centre, Harar attracts pilgrim from all parts of the Islamic world.
Near the mosque stands the imposing octagonal Cathedral of MedhaneAlem, Holy Saviour which contains a gallery of traditional religious maidens in long, extravagantly following coloured dresses come to barter and buy amongst the elegant Moorish archways.