Tourist Attractions & Monuments Ethiopia

A boat trip on the lake is a welcome moment of calm to observe the birds and hippos gathered in a secluded marshy cove. As the boats are not motorized, you should allow two to three hours for a complete excursion. Rentals can be made at the main jetty or in Amora Gedel Park, located at the very end of the trail. Meaning "valley of birds", this is a bird-watching mecca where kingfishers and other lake birds live side by side with grey-cheeked hornbills.

Located in the heart of the city, the 7-hectare fortified royal city has been a Unesco World Heritage site since 1979, and is logically surrounded by ramparts. It includes several castles corresponding to the reigns of different emperors (the palaces of Iyassou ^I, Fasiladas, Bakaffa and Mentewab, as well as the buildings of Yohannes ^I and Dawit). There are few explanations on site; take an accredited guide for this hour-long tour, who will also accompany you to the surrounding sites. In Africa, this is a unique ensemble.

The entrance to Nechisar National Park is close to Sikela, the lower town of Arba Minch. But beware, the headquarters are 1 km further on. A guide is required to enter the park. Please note that there are currently no accommodation facilities inside the park. Although a full day is sufficient to explore almost the entire Nechisar, camping (very rudimentary and self-sufficient) is nevertheless permitted, allowing you to enjoy the first moments of dawn before the park opens.

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.

Considered the oldest building in Ethiopia, and indeed in the world, the temple of Yeha still conceals many mysteries. It was renovated in 2017 by a team of German archaeologists, but few walls of this royal residence remain standing. It must be said that it is contemporary with ancient Rome and the kingdom of Judea, in the^5th century BC. The building could, according to some experts, be three centuries older and would have been dedicated to the Sabaean god Almuqa. Built in what would have been the capital of the pre-Axumite period by populations of South Arabian origin, the 18-metre-long by 15-metre-wide sanctuary is made of rubble, whose perfect assembly did not require the use of mortar. According to experts, this construction technique is similar to that used for the buildings at Marib, Yemen.

Excavations on the site of the temple, which was probably transformed into a church as early as the ^6th century, as evidenced by the presence of a baptistery, have yielded some real archaeological treasures, some of which are on display in what can hardly be called a museum, at the entrance to the site.

In addition to the ruins of the temple, the fortified enclosure houses the church dedicated to one of the nine Syrian saints, Abba Aftsé, probably rebuilt on the site of a first^6th-century sanctuary. The building houses two bas-reliefs with ibex heads, a sacred animal for the Sabeans, from the ruins of the nearby temple, as well as important religious treasures including imposing manuscripts.

Ethiopia's oldest monastery is located on a steep-walled amba (plateau) 1 km long and 500 m wide, with a circular view over the Hazemo massif (in Eritrea) and the Adwa mountains. Founded in the ^6th century by Abouna Aregawi, one of the nine Syrian saints who initiated the second wave of Christianization in the kingdom, Dabra Damo became one of the country's greatest centers of Christianity and monasticism. Climbing the 15 m wall is only possible by means of a leather strap pulled from the summit. This link, called a jendé, symbolizes the serpent which, according to legend, lifted Aregawi to the top of the plateau on God's orders. The amba is occupied by a veritable village of small dwellings (home to some 300 monks), water cisterns, two churches and pastures where an exclusively male herd of cattle, donated by pilgrims, roams. The main sanctuary, built by King Gabra Masqal in the ^6th century, is in the Axumite style, made of stone and wood with "monkey heads", and features splendid wooden coffered ceilings carved with geometric, plant and animal motifs. A smaller, more recent church has been built on the eastern slope of the plateau, where the saint retired to live as a hermit, and where, according to tradition, he disappeared from the sight of the living.

This place, which was often the refuge of kings during conflicts (Lebna Dengel, who died here, was buried in the ^16th century), still attracts a multitude of pilgrims on the occasion of his feast day, celebrated on October 24.

The necropolis of these Axumite kings dates back to the ^6th century. These burial chambers were once surmounted by a pyramidal edifice covered by a tumulus. King Kaleb's tomb is composed of blocks and three chambers. That of Gabra Masqal, his son, consists of five funerary chambers on which are carved elephants and several crosses. The tomb still contains sarcophagi. Legend has it that a tunnel more than 180 km long links this sanctuary to Eritrea!

Just 2 km from the tombs of Kaleb and Gabra Masqal, and after a short climb, we reach the monastery founded by one of the nine Syrian saints in the ^6th century, Saint Pantaleon, who is said to have built this sanctuary on a site of pagan rites. It later became home to King Kaleb after his abdication. From here, it's a 20-minute walk to the church perched on a volcanic peak. The beautiful view of the surrounding area is enough to justify this little expedition.

One of the country's most spectacular churches, it's a must on any itinerary in Tigray. It is monolithic, cut out of the rock on all four sides, and stands on the edge of an amba (Ethiopian plateau) that is not easily accessible. The ascent to the rock-cut church is short, but aided by a ladder. The sanctuary, at an altitude of 2,450 m, offers a majestic view of the surrounding countryside. Immediately one notices with dismay that the original doors have been replaced by vulgar iron panels, all of which have been extensively whitewashed, right down to the beautiful wooden frames.

As the 17 m wide façade suggests, the interior is vast, supported by large 6 m high cruciform pillars, but is not painted. Decoration is limited to a large Greek cross on the ceiling and other geometric motifs. The vast courtyard in front of the church dates back to a period before Lalibela's (it was used to treat infertile women and sick people). Nearby, deep cisterns dug into the rock retain water.

From the top of the plateau, where the monks' huts are located, you can admire the highly developed rural habitat below, with its fortified farmhouses with several main buildings. Visiting the church in the late afternoon allows you to take advantage of the low-angled light on the building's facade, as well as the superb luminosity of the surrounding landscape.

Located 18 km to the right of the Wikro road, the church can be easily reached by a 15-minute walk to the top of a small hill. The interior probably dates back to the ^14th century, although not to the time of the church's foundation, which was much earlier. It has undergone several restoration campaigns, including the addition of an unsightly facade in the 1960s. The hypogeum (troglodyte) monument is excavated in the shape of a cross and supported by twelve pillars and pilasters. The ceiling is richly decorated and sculpted. There is an adjoining convent.

Carved out of sandstone, the church is organized around a three-aisle plan supported by cruciform pillars linked by arches. The atrium features fine ^15th-century wall paintings; the ceilings are carved with crosses, a motif also found on the side entrances. This semi-monolithic church was damaged by the armies of Queen Gudit in the ^10th century. Recent improvements, such as a new roof, have been carried out to combat seepage.

The church is only revealed at the last moment (perhaps hence its name "Hidden Mary"), near a small cloister. While the columned façade is imposing, the dark, damp interior - no doubt due to the sacred water basin it houses - is devoid of decoration. Before setting off on your walk, it's a good idea to make sure that the priest will accept your visit, for which permission is sometimes required. To reach the sanctuary, drive to Werkamba, 20 km north of Abbi-Addi on the road to Adwa, then to Adiha 14 km further on. From there, it's a 1-hour walk.

Hidden in the greenery, 16 km from Abbi-Addi on the road to Adwa, the monastery church dominates a superb panorama. The entrance door is entirely painted, but poorly preserved. The iconography depicts the Annunciation protected by archangels, the three martyrs of Babylon and, higher up, the Trinity and enigmatic figures. The three-aisled interior is magnificently carved, leading some specialists to suggest that the monument dates from the ^15th century. For priests, there is no doubt that the church is contemporary with King Gabra Masqal (^6th century).

Mékélé is a hub for salt from Danakil. If you're hoping to come across a caravan delivering salt, you have to travel to the Danakil desert on Lake Assalé, or get to the salt market in Agulae, 35 km from Mékélé, early in the morning. A 4/5 kg block of salt sells for between 20 and 25 birr. Once free, the market is now organized into small corrugated iron stalls, which have lost some of their charm. The permanent spice market is well worth a visit.

This multi-cavity hypogeum sanctuary, located close to a more recent church, was almost certainly excavated in pre-Christian times before being converted into a church. For specialists, its unusual location on the plain and its small size prove its original function as a tomb. Unless we're dealing with a pagan place of worship, which could provide clues as to the origin of dug-out churches. But these are only hypotheses. After the rainy season, it's not unusual for the crypt to flood.

Considered one of the oldest churches in Tigray, it dates back to the ^10th or ^11th century. On the façade, imposing pillars seem to support the top of the rock in the form of a natural roof. Once past a sort of atrium, the sanctuary is entered through two doors decorated with massive Axumite-style wooden frames. The vast interior (10 m x 10 m) features superb sculpted decoration, with no frescoes to disturb the perfect layout.

A 20-minute walk from the Petros and Paulos church, this sanctuary can be spotted on the side of an isolated rock surrounded by a clump of eucalyptus and olive trees. Access, through a strangely low doorway, opens onto an interior dug into the mountain (it's a hypogeum church), whose decoration is dominated by symbolic sculpture carved into the rock, in the dome, and in a complex and unprecedented style. The church has no paintings, however.

Partially excavated and partially constructed, the church appears to be suspended in the middle of the wall, whose ascent is in a somewhat difficult place. The sanctuary has beautiful frescoes, unfortunately in a poor state of conservation since the place is decommissioned. The tabot was transferred to a new church, carved in the rock, between 1982 and 1996, by a priest in the region. To explain the reason for his book, Alaka Halefom, his director, declared that he had ordered the Archangel Gabriel.

There's nothing on the façade to suggest the refinement of the interior of the sanctuary, entirely excavated from the rock. The kené malhet (where the choir is held) and the naves are supported by openwork pillars with capitals. The domes and 9 m high ceilings are decorated with Greek crosses, and the lintels of the blind windows are in the Axumite style. Recent paintings complete the decoration. As the church is isolated (2 hours from Hawzen, or more depending on the state of the track), take a guide who will be able to contact the priest before you get there.

The church is hemmed in by narrow sandstone walls that open onto two doors, one for men, the other for women. The vast interior (10 m wide, 13 m deep and 6 m high) is surprisingly well decorated. The well-preserved paintings are in a primitive style unseen in the region. The iconography, featuring Adam and Eve, the Virgin and Child, the Apostle Paul and various equestrian saints from the Ethiopian tradition, is marked by Byzantine and Nubian influences. Impressive and mysterious.

Located almost in the heart of the city, this lake, the deepest of all (up to 85 m), covers an area of 9 000 m ². It is possible to walk on foot. A simple stop at the Hotel Bishoftu also allows you to enjoy a superb view on the crater below.

Bacaffa the Merciless was a dark negus of Ethiopia. He built the last palaces in Gondar, including a vast banqueting hall, partly restored after the British bombardment in 1941, and stables. When he fell ill at Lake Tana, he was cared for by Berhan-Mogasa, whom he married and who, once empress, took the name of Mentewab. The future Iyasou II was born of their union. Mentewab's castle, decorated with religious motifs, now serves as a library.

Iyassou the Great is considered the most important ruler of the Gondaran period. Louis XIV's envoy, the physician Charles Poncet, who visited the sovereign, described the splendor of his court. His palace, decorated with ivory, precious stones and rich furnishings, was considered the most sumptuous of all. The building's originality lay in its vaulted ceiling, the arches of which can still be seen. Among the ruins, the domed steam baths have survived.

The island of Deq, 5 km in diameter, is the largest on the lake. It is largely covered by crops and also produces a large amount of honey. Little visited, the place has a little extra soul, and the priest enjoys chatting with visitors while he displays the church treasure. It takes a full day's boat trip to reach the Nerga Selassie Church. The most accomplished example of Lake Tana church architecture and religious art, built in the ^18th century, is dedicated to the Trinity. This is the highlight of a visit to the churches of Lake Tana, especially for women, who are forbidden to enter several major monasteries. Nerga Sélassié is one of the most richly decorated churches on Lake Tana, adorned with well-preserved paintings in shimmering colors. Nerga Sélassié is one of the finest examples of Gondaran-style circular churches, with an exterior gallery. The sanctuary was built by Empress Mentewab, wife of the Gondaran dynasty's Negus Bacaffa and regent during the reign of her son Iyassou II (1730-1755). She is depicted at the foot of a Virgin and Child. In the midst of classical iconography depicting the lives of Jesus and Mary, we note the Church's struggle against pagan beliefs, including that of sea monsters, symbolized by a fish carrying a church on its back and pierced by an angel's spear. Note also the ogre cutting out his tongue.

The eponymous island can be reached from the eastern shore of the lake, on the road to Gondar, or via the lake, in a 30-minute boat ride from Bahar Dar. It is possible to hire the services of a tankwa, less expensive than an official tour boat, just for this nearby monastery. In this case, the crossing can be a little wet. Rebuilt in the ^19th century on the site of an earlier sanctuary, the monastery has no major interest beyond the small treasure it preserves. It is rarely visited, except perhaps by travellers short of time and money.

The island is less interesting for the rectangular church it houses, which is undoubtedly recent, than for the legends that surround it and give it its historical importance. It was here that the Holy Family fled to Egypt, taking refuge even further south. It is also where, according to tradition, the Ark of the Covenant was housed for eight to ten centuries before reaching Aksum. The priests, steeped in mythology, will show you the traces of the passage of all these distinguished residents.

This is one of the highlights of a visit to the religious sites of Lake Tana, unfortunately reserved for men only. It's a 30-minute climb to reach the sanctuary from the small boat harbor. Allow around 1h30 for the round trip. The monastery-church on an islet is home to the largest monastic community on the lake: some two hundred monks are recluses here. Legend has it that the monastery was founded by a saint in 1268, sailing on a stone boat, which can still be seen halfway along the path. Restored in the ^19th century, the sanctuary preserves, alongside contemporary paintings, canvases and paintings from the prosperous ^15th and ^16th centuries. But that's not why visitors come here. The centerpiece are the mummified bodies of Ethiopian sovereigns, encased in glass sarcophagi. The reason for the presence of the remains of emperors who reigned during the long Gondaran dynasty remains unclear. Here lie the remains of Yekouno Amlak (^13th century), Dawit ^I and Zara Yakob (^15th century), Libne Dingle (^16th century) and Fasiladas (^17th century). Having collapsed several years ago, the monastery is still being rebuilt and the monks are hard at work. The mummies can be seen in a small temporary museum at the top of the hill. No explanations in English or any other language on site, so take a guide to Bahar Dar if you want to find out more.

The nearest monastery island, Bahar Dar, is around 30 minutes away by boat. It is home to a community of some forty monks in a serene wooded environment. The church, rebuilt in the ^17th century, features a series of paintings in a poor state of preservation, but of great interest. Nearby, a small, well-appointed museum displays a collection of crosses and manuscripts of the utmost importance. The library is said to contain over 200 of them! The monk in charge of the tour is full of explanations.

The British Council is a cultural center located in Addis Ababa. It offers a variety of programs and activities to promote cultural and linguistic exchanges between the UK and Ethiopia. The center offers English language courses and professional training to improve the English communication skills of staff. It also organizes cultural events and art exhibitions to promote British diversity and culture. The British Council is committed to building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and around the world.

The sanctuary is hidden away at the top of Mount Asheten, which dominates the town from its rocky peak at 3,200 m altitude, just below the Nakuto Lab church. It takes around 2 hours to reach it on foot via the path that starts in the outskirts of Lalibela, opposite the Seven Olives Hotel. A new road allows access by car or badjaj, for those who want to save time on the first day of a trek, for example. Near the entrance to the sanctuary, a small carved grotto, partly collapsed, marks the site of an ancient church dedicated to Saint Michael.

Accessible via a small tunnel dug into the tufa, the church itself is monolithic, exposed on only three sides of the rock. It appears nestled in the grey rock. Like most other churches, Asheten Mariam is encased in protective scaffolding that prevents a bird's-eye view from the upper walls. In the courtyard, a cavity, the kené malet, has been cleared to accommodate the deftara choir. The interior features a motley collection of icons and paintings from various periods. Probably begun during Lalibela's reign, the church was completed by his successor Nakuto Lab in the ^13th century. To the left of the monument, a natural terrace offers a magnificent circular panorama. This church can be a good starting point for a two- to four-day trek in the Lasta mountains, with an ascent of the nearby Abuna Yossef peak, which we warmly recommend.