The best museums North

The museum is housed in the former palace of Emperor Yohannes (1872-1889), built on a hilltop overlooking the city. The architecture of this palace-fortress is surprisingly almost Art Deco in style. On the first floor, the hall houses a collection of weapons, coins, musical instruments and everyday objects, as well as manuscripts, icons and crosses from the ^16th and ^17th centuries. The royal apartments feature French furniture, as well as a variety of war dress and ceremonial outfits. The terrace was once an important venue for ceremonies.

Overlooking the entrance to the city, the museum is housed in a former mansion built by the Italians during the occupation. In addition to its collections of musical instruments, traditional handicrafts and religious objects, the place is interesting for the beautiful view it offers over the city and the former palace of Ras Mikaël, founder of the city at the end of the ^19th century, enthroned on the hill opposite (closed to the public). The museum is currently being renovated with financial support from The Ethiopian Heritage Trust, an NGO.

This museum opened just before the 2020-2021 war. The museum itself boasts some fine pieces, including a pagan sacrificial altar found at Adi Akaweh, dating back twenty-eight centuries, as well as a wealth of pottery, jewelry, everyday objects and contemporaries from Roman times, found at various sites around Adigrat and Aksum in particular. There's also Wukro's first electric generator, dating from the early ^20th century, and a series of photos of the local inhabitants.