Two imperial castles are reminders that at one time Mekele was the capital of Ethiopia. In the market, the rock salt carried from the Danakil dessert is still bartered today.
Mekele is a rapidly developing town, center of agriculture and industrial development. From Mekelle, excursion can be made to see the most beautiful of innumerable medieval rock-hewn churches, cut and hidden in the rocks.
Harrar ( the walled city)
Harar is an ancient walled Ethiopia city. Possessing as many as 99 Mosques, Harar is considered to be the third holy city of Islam. In Ethiopia as Axum was the window for Christianity, Harar is the same for Islam.
Historically, Harar has been a controversial issue among historians. To some the establishment of Harar goes back as the 7th century and to others to the 9th century.
The wall of Harar is locally known as the Jegol, The old city cramped within its ancient walls, the new extending freely. The walls are believed to have commenced by Ibn al Wazir Mujahid Nur, a nephew of Ahmed Gragn, who is said to have dug a defensive trench around the town. The wall is pierced by six gateways, five of them derived from ancient times, though the original gates are no more. Two other were added by Ethiopian Government, but one of the later was destroyed by the Italians.
Harar as a modern urban center has different kinds of people. These people have different language and different ways of dressing. The people are known as the kotu Oromo, Harari, Somali and Amhara.
One important attraction in Harar is the market place. Just outside of the Shoa gate of the wall of Harar is a large sloping area devoted to daily marketing. People come from all around Harar to participate in the market.
Much of the trading in the market places is carried on by women, who like to dress their hair in twin buns back of each ear and who are addicted to wearing shawls of brilliant orange or red. The men prefer to wear sarong-like skirts
Harar is the only city in the world where hyenas are fed by human hand. There is a place in Harar along the wall of the old city where at night one can see ” Hyena men” who have their pets among these scavengers and call them forth to be fed by hand.
Harar is the only city in the world where hyenas are fed by human hand. There is a place in Harar along the wall of the old city where at night one can see ” Hyena men” who have their pets among these scavengers and call them forth to be fed by hand.
Bahir Dar
Situated on the southern extremity of Lake Tana, Bahir Dar is a decidedly attractive town with palm-lined avenues and pretty lakeside vistas.
Nearby Lake Tana, 1,800 meters above sea level, is one of the long hidden source of the Nile. The Tissiat falls (meaning water that smokes) are 30 kms down from where the Blue Nile leaves the lake towards Khartoum.Approached by foot up a long winding path and crossing a 17th century bridge built by Emperor Fasiledes, the falls cascade down 50 mts over a 400mts area. Lake Tana’s 3600 sq.kms surface is dotted with more than 30islands, many of which are the sites ofmonasteries and churches, some dating from the 14th century in the reign of Emperor Amde Tsion. A motor boat takes you from the charming market town of Bahir Dar to Ura Kidanemihret, a monastery on the mainland peninsula at Zegie, where a treasury of ancient illuminated bibles is stored. Along the way, papyrus canoes are used by the local people since ages past for fishing and gathering firewood.
Axum
With a history dating back over 2000 years, Axum is a center of lovely legends, splendid monuments and on going archeological research.
Legend has it that the queen of Sheba lived here and that the ruined palace to be seen in the town today was built by the legendary queen.. Her son, Menelik I. fruit of her-sojourn with King Solomon, is also supposed to have been born here. Legend further elaborates that Menelik brought with him from Israel the Ark of the Covenant, which is now housed in aguarded sanctuary.
Axum is a holy city to Ethiopians, for it was to Axum that Christianity was brought in the 4th century in the region of King Izana, by Freminatus, who was letter consecrated Bishop of Axum by St. Athanasius, Patriarch of Alexandria. The great stone monoliths of Axum, called stelae, are awe-inspiring. The largest of them all, once standing 34 meters, now tying broken in the ground, – was the tallest standing monolith in the world.
Gonder
Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia between the 17th and 19th century. It became the royal capital in 1636, in the time of Emperor Fasiledes, who built the first and most famous of the castles. The establishment of the city marked a major turning point in Ethiopia’s long history. For the previous half millennium the country had been with out long-enduring capital and its rulers had indeed spent much of their times marching from camp to camp until their last resting place. The emergence of Gondar marked the end of this era of moving capitals for the city remained the center of Ethiopian government until the second half of the 19th century.
Emperor Fasiledes erected fine two storied castle at Gondar. It is marvelous building, worthy of admiration, and the most beautiful of the outstanding wonders. Another building constructed by Fasiledes was the Bathing place now called after him. The pool is still filled with water each year for the annual Timket, or Epiphany, celebrations. The development of the city which had been begun by Fasiledes was continued by his son, Yohannes I and grandson Iyasu I. These and other kings constructed other castles.
In the hills North West of the city of Gondar, was also site of numerous impressive buildings. Mintwab, the mother of Iyasu II was instrumental in the construction of these palaces. The palace is one of the most attractive of the Gondar buildings.
Lalibela
Lalibella, the site of 11 spectacular rock- hewn churches is an important historical attraction in Ethiopia. King Lalibella (r.1180 – 1221) was one of the kings of the Zagwe Dynasty which flourished after the fall of the Axumite Empire in the 10th century A.D. According to some sources king Lalibella constructed the churches in an attempt to create the second Jerusalem at the heart of Ethiopia.
The area on which the churches are found covers about two square kilometers. The churches were excavated in the red volcanic stuff of mount Abuna Joseph in massive rectangular blocks. Out of these blokes the craftsmen chiseled the ceilings and walls 30 to 50 feet high, floors on varying levels, individual rooms, windows, columns and arches. They surrounded the churches with an extensive system of drainage ditches.
The eleven churches differ widely form each other, yet have certain typical features in common in their magnificent architecture. They are all basilica inform. There is no piece of wood in all of the construction. The columns which divide the nave and aisles, the altars, the windows the relief and paintings exhibit the fantastic skill of the masons and sculptors.
The rock- hewn churches of Lalibella have long been one of the most constant source of fascination of all the wonders which Ethiopia offers to world. They are one of world’s most incredible man made creations, and lasting monuments to man’s faith in God. A Portuguese priest, Francisco Alvarez, who visited the churches in 1520 wrote as follows, “It wearied me to write more of these works, because it seems to me that they will not believe me if I write more, and because as to what I have already written they will accuse me of untruth. Therefore, I swear by God, in whose power I am, that all that is written is the truth and there is much more than I have already written, and I have left it that they may not tax with its being false hood.” Even today many tourists say the same thing with Alvarez about the Lalibella churches but using different words.
For visitors who are interested to have a look of more rock- hewn churches the surrounding of Lalibella and Tigray offer many more. Some are situated in inaccessible places so that travel to visit them can be managed by walk, mule and even rope.
About Us
Red Jackal Tour Operator, established in 1998 E.C specializes in safari and cultural tours to meet its customers’ interests and organize different packages to suit the clients’ travel plans. Red Jackal tour operator is a private limited company, located in the heart of Addis Ababa.