LALIBELA (“EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD”)

Located in the north-east of Ethiopia, Lalibela is another renowned historical destination. Placed third in historic sequence, its site hosts the “eighth wonder of the world”, the Lalibela rock-hewn churches. UNESCO has recorded this site as one of the world wonders. It is also holy land for Ethiopia’s Orthodox Christians.

Today the town of Lalibela hosts eleven rock-hewn churches and all, apart from their historic significance, are renowned for their excellent and unique rock-carvings. The art displayed on the rocks dates from the twelfth century yet is still intact and in great shape. An active pilgrim site, the town is extensively visited and a source of admiration for architects and tourists alike.

Founded at the center of the Lasta mountain chain, Lalibela was originally called Roha and was a site of the Zagwe dynasty, of the Agew people. The decline of the Axumite dynasty gave rise to the Zagwe dynasty and, as a result, power shifted southward from Axum. After an interruption of the Solomonic line for almost 12 years, King Lalibela III, from the last of the Zagwe dynasty, managed to have these rock-hewn churches carved.

It took King Lalibela his entire reign and more than 60,000 men to finish the work. According to local accounts, the work was assisted by angels. Other erected and cave churches built during this period are found at a short distance from the town.

ti1

TIYA AND ADIS ALEM

ti1
ti2
TI3
TI4

An estimated 10,000 stelae (obelisks) are scattered across the south of Ethiopia, extending in a rough belt form Tiya southeast to the vicinity of Negele Borena. Little is known about the origin of these stelae or the societies that erected them.

Local tradition attributes the stelae to the 15th-century Muslim leader Ahmed Gragn, but the formative findings of Professor Roger Joussaume, the only archaeologist to have worked the sites, indicates that they were erected centuries before Gragn was born, over a 400-500-year period starting in the 9th century.

Approximately 50 stele fields are known in Gedeo zone, and two broad styles of stele are recognized. The older of these, probably dating to the 9th century, are the phallic stele, which are typically cylindrical in shape, and rounded at the top, with incisions that leave little room for ambiguity about what they are meant to represent. The steles appear to have marked graves, and the bodies beneath them were buried in a fetal position. The two largest stelae fields in Gedea are Tutu Fela and Tututi, both of which lie within 45 minutes’ drive of Dilla.

The Tututi field is made up almost exclusively of phallic stelae, whereas anthropomorphic steles dominate at Tutu Fela. There are some parallels between the later stele found around Dilla and the anthropomorphic wooden grave markers of the Konso-who, interestingly, retain and oral tradition suggesting that they might have migrated to their present homeland from the eastern Rift Valley Escarpment.

Addis Alem Mariam Church

Originally built as Menelik’s palace and known for its murals. The church owns many important relics and artifacts bequeathed to it by the Emperor which are on display in the Church museum.

de1

DEBRE LIBANOS MONASTERY

de1
de2
de3

Drive 110 kms north from Addis over the Entoto Mountains passing through the Sululta Plains to the Monastery of Debre Libanos founded in the 13th century by Abune Tekle Haymanot.

Overlooking Jemma River Gorge, a tributary of the Blue Nile, the Monastery owns ecclesiastical, cultural and historical relics, and boasts a rare grove of trees that have disappeared from elsewhere in the region. Walk across a 16th Century Bridge said to have been built by Portuguese to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the gorge. Here you may see gelada monkeys—a unique grass eating primate found only in Ethiopia.

We suggest a weekend trip to Debre Libanos Monastery with an overnight in the nearby and beautifully situated Ethio-German lodge. En route you can also visit the Muger gorge with the Durba Waterfall and Jemma Valley.

mu1

MUSEUM AND MONUMNENTS

mu1
mu2
ed3

National Museum is one of the highlights of Addis Ababa where rich cultural and archaeological relics including “Lucy” 3.2 million year old hominid are cherished. The other important museum is the Anthropological Museum which is highly respected for its rich collection of historical, cultural and religious relics and paintings.

Kiddist Maryam (1911) and Kidane Mehret (YEAR)) are within walking distance of each other and they have beautiful wall paintings and Church treasures. They are also of historical value having served as the mausoleums of Emperor Menelik II.

St George Cathedral commissioned by Emperor Menelik II to commemorate his stunning 1896 defeat of the Italians in Adwa. And also it is famous for its wall paintings from the famous Ethiopian artist Afewerk Tekle. It also has a fine museum.

Trinity Cathedral was built in memory of Ethiopia’s liberation from five years of Italian occupation. It is also the second most important place of worship in Ethiopia (after St. Mary’s in Axum), and the highest ranking of Addis Ababa’s four Orthodox cathedrals. Emperor Haile Selassie built a mausoleum for his family in the crypt under the Cathedral, and the Imperial families continue to use it as their tomb. Trinity Cathedral has been the site of many great church and state ceremonies, including the enthronements of the Patriarchs of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the consecration of all Archbishops and Bishops.

Ethnological museum is set with Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of the university main campus is intralling Ethnological museum. It is easily the finest museum in Africa.

Lion of Judah monument is the symbol of Ethiopian monarchy, the lion of Judah is ubiquitous throughout the country and although images of the almighty animal abound in Addis Ababa.

Derg monument is the towering Derg monument is one of the more poignant reminders of the country’s painful communist rule. Topped by a massive red star and emblazoned with a golden hammer and sickle, the cement obelisk structure climbs skyward in front of black lion hospital.

Menelik II Statue is located at the heart of the city near the City Hall and the St. George Cathedral, is erected in commemoration of the battle of Adowa. With similar greatness,

adis2

ADDIS ABABA THE CAPITAL CITY OF ETHIOPIA

adis2
ad3
ad4

The name of this sprawling capital city means “New Flower.” Founded by Emperor Menelik in 1887 and with a population of about 6 million, Addis Ababa is Africa’s diplomatic capital with the headquarters for the AU (African Union) located here.

Impressive monuments of colonial architecture are scattered among stretches of sun-bleached shacks. Drive through “Mercato” the largest open market on the continent. Make interesting stops that include the National Museum, the Ethnological Museum and the Ba’ata Church known as Menlo Mausoleum. Enjoy souvenir shopping and visits to special art galleries.
Extraordinary Ethiopia Tours patronizes local charities providing guests with opportunities to make purchases that support them. Hotel accommodations range from tourist class to luxury collections and a variety of restaurants serve delectable dishes from around the world including, of course, Ethiopia.

Merkato is the perfect place to experience the sights and sounds of Addis Ababa. From cosmopolitan down towns to the busiest and the largest open air market of the continent named as Merkato, a name given to the place by Italians during their five years occupation of the city. You’ll travel past famous landmarks, broad squares, monuments and statues and you will take a short stroll along the colorful streets of the market to view the dazzling hive of activities that permeates at every corner and alley of Merkato.

gg1

GAMBELLA

gg1
gg3

The Gambella region is located in the western part of Ethiopia the region Is rich in wild life. The gambella national park hosts populations of elephants, buffalo, lion, olive babbon, gurezza monkeys as well as several rare antelopes and many bird species.

The region is less frequented by tourist due to its remoteness.

DIRE DEWA

Dire Dawa is city in Harar region. It is a commercial and industrial center located on the Addis Ababa–Djibouti railroad. Manufactures include processed meat, vegetable oil, textiles, and cement. There are also railroad workshops in the city. Dire Dawa was founded in 1902 when the railroad from Djibouti reached the area, and its growth has resulted largely from trade brought by the railroad place of interest in this very interesting town is the local market and the railway station with the old trains.

YOHANES

Although Lalibela is unique, it is not the sole site of Ethiopia’s famous rock-hewn churches. In Tigray near Makale, over 200 fine examples of these monuments to man’s devotion to God as well as his building skills, can be seen and visited. The capital of Emperor Yohanes IV (1871-1889), Makale is now the main city of Tigray, the most northern Ethiopian region. The Emperor’s palace has been turned into a particular interesting museum, with many exhibits of his time and subsequent history. The town is also well known as a transit point for the Camel Caravans bringing salt up from the arid lands of the Danakil Depression. This makes the market place an interesting sight to visit. Intrepid visitors can also make excursions into the Danakil to visit some of the Afar nomads that trek across the region.