Ancient Sites in Ethiopia to Discover

Are you thinking is Ethiopia a worth-watching country? It indeed is, as visiting Ethiopia is a kind of adventure in itself. A country portraying its ancient culture and tradition through historical monuments and ancient churches. The fantastic, unpredictable, and mesmerizing land of Ethiopia is far different from other East African countries. You will witness the difference when you visit it.

The sweeping iconic views of the ancient sites in Ethiopia will surely leave you awestruck. Some of the most iconic and popular Ethiopian sites are as follows. If you are into history, traveling, or photography, these places will take your heart.

Gondar

The last thing that comes to mind while thinking about Ethiopia might be castles. The country doesn’t seem to have some. But it is not the fact. You will be surely surprised to know that Ethiopia is holding many secrets in its land and stories of ancient castles, Emperors and princesses are among them.

Gondar was home to Emperor Fasiladas who built many castles and churches here, some of which are still standing today reminding us about the old time. Out of all the relics from the past, Fasil Ghebbi has its name and place. The walled city of Fasil Ghebbi is proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Harar

Harar is another fascinating city in Ethiopia. It is well known for its ancient walled elevated city. Moreover, it served as a trade link between Ethiopia and the Arabian Peninsula. This ancient walled city has a lot of significance as it is considered the Fourth Holy City of Islam. It is said so because out of 82 mosques here, three are as old as the 10th century. The land of Harar is also home to many shrines and churches.

If you are in Harar, don’t miss Harar Jegol Wall, Casa Museo di Rimbaud, Din Agobara Mosque, Harar Museum, and Din Agobara Mosque. Get around the town and enjoy a lot of cool things Harar has to offer to its visitors.

Addis Ababa

The ancient city of civilization Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia. It offers an interesting and intriguing opportunity to buzz with the ancient culture and history of the land. It is proclaimed as the cradle of humankind, after the discovery of extinct hominids. One of the must-see tourist attractions sites in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa has the potential to amaze you.

Get your hands at this amazing opportunity of observing the ancient relics of one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Don’t miss a chance to try out Ethiopian food, culture, dance, and much more. The iconic and remarkable sites are the National Museum of Ethiopia, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Bole Medhane Alem Cathedral, Addis Fine Art, The Mausoleum of Menelik II, Adadi Maryam, and Anwar Mosque in Addis Ababa.

Axum

Axum or Aksum is among the most popular tourist attraction sites in Ethiopia. One of the greatest historical sites was rumored to be the house of the Queen of Sheba. This ancient city dates back to the 1st century. The ancient town of Axum is well known for its remarkable obelisks which are popularly known as Steles. You will surely find their glimpse in Axum.

Some of the significant sites to visit in Axum include the underground tombs of King Kaleb and King Bazen, a giant stone tablet known as King Ezana’s inscription, and Archaeological and ethnographic museums.

Lalibela

A land of legends and mystery, Lalibela is one of the most fascinating and mesmerizing tourist attractions sites. You should visit this must-see town. Magic of the town that you cannot find anywhere else in the whole of Ethiopia. Famous for its churches, monasteries, and much more, Lalibela is waiting for you to explore it.

The most astonishing and popular attraction site in Lalibela is a huge collection of Churches. These are unique as built as a recreation of Jerusalem within Ethiopia. These monolithic churches are special as they are carved specifically from volcanic rocks, each one having a unique style and design. The archaeological culture and history of Lalibela will leave you awe-inspired.

Wrap Up

A land of ancient history, culture, and civilizations, Ethiopia has a plethora of choices in store for explorers. The picturesque landscapes, architectural beauty, and cheerful festivals welcome tourists from across the globe. There are a few things that you can’t find anywhere else in the world that are seen here. Like a unique calendar, numerical system, and a set of old alphabets. All these and many more are the reasons why you should add to your bucket list.

The arid plains, green lands, spectacle mountains, and vast lakes define the scenic views of Ethiopia. Do you know that 70% of the mountains of the African continent are in Ethiopia? Every corner of Ethiopia delivers a view pleasant to the sight.