10 Historical Places In Ethiopia

historical places in ethiopia
Antonia
Antonia 
Updated
| 5 min read

The long and fascinating story of Ethiopia is not a case of ancient history, or of modern history. It is both at once, and much more. One of the earliest empires and first recognised civilisations in the world, Ethiopia’s influence upon the world has been considerable and a deep reading of it is sure to fascinate any historian. More recently, in the 19th Century, the country fought off a colonisation by Italian forces and, although the turn of the 21st century saw the north-eastern African country as one of the most impoverished on the planet, it is a place that is once again growing in stature. The list below of fascinating historical places in Ethiopia is a great starting place for anyone who wants to check out this fascinating land.

1. Gondar Castle

Fasiladas Castle, Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user RyansWorld used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Years of coverage in the media have left many people under the impression that Ethiopia is merely some arid landscape, but that entire narrative can be overturned in moments with a trip to Gondar, a settlement founded in the 17th Century, which is home to a castle of the same name. The castle was built for King Fasilides, and the town around it went on to become one of Ethiopia’s key agricultural towns. Buying a ticket for entry to the castle entitles you to a second visit, wherein you can see Fasilides’ Bath, a large, ornate ceremonial pool.

Gondar Castle

Address: Gondar, Amhara, Semien Gondar, Ethiopia

Opening hours: 8:30am - 12:30pm, 1:30 - 6:30pm (daily)

Price: 7 USD

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2. St. Georges Orthodox Cathedral

St. Georges Orthodox Cathedral
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ondřej Žváček used under CC BY 2.5

Located on Churchill Road in Addis Ababa, St. George’s Cathedral is a building of major importance for a number of reasons. Architecturally, it is an impressive octagonal structure, built on the ruins of a previous, 15th-century cathedral. Militarily, it was the scene of an attack by Italian forces in 1937, and was symbolically restored by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1941. In the present day, the cathedral houses a museum, with attractions including an imperial throne as well as some of the weaponry used in the Ethiopian-Italian war.

St. Georges Orthodox Cathedral

Address: Churchill Road, Addis Ababa

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3. Kidus Mikael Church

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, you will find the settlement of Lalibela, which is home to a wealth of Orthodox churches - some as old as up to nine centuries. Close to Gondar, one of the most prized sites is that of Kidus Mikael, or St. Michael in English. This cross-shaped church is one of the most visited religious sites in Ethiopia, and is well recommended as a destination for anyone interested in the history of the country. Ceremonies take place here every January on the feast day of St. Michael.

Kidus Mikael Church

Address: Lalibela, Amhara

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4. Bet Giyorgis Church

Bet Giyorgis Rock-Hewn Church - Lalibela - Ethiopia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Adam Jones used under CC BY-SA 2.0

A near-neighbour of Kidus Mikael is the spectacular Bet Giyorgis Church; hewn out of the rock in Lalibela, the church (whose name translates from Amharic as “St. George”) is one of the most commonly photographed sites in all of Ethiopia. The church is a common pilgrimage site for members of Ethiopian congregations spread worldwide; those who have made pilgrimage to the site are entitled to be laid to rest here when their life is at an end.

Bet Giyorgis Church

Address: Lalibela, Amhara

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5. Yeha Temple

Yeha Tigray Ethiopia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user www.peace-on-eart... used under CC BY-SA 3.0

One of many historical religious sites within Ethiopia - and among the most interesting to religious scholars - Yeha Temple is understood to date from as far back as the 8th Century BCE. Ethiopia is understood to have been one of the first countries to embrace Christianity as its religion, and there is evidence that the temple, for some time, served as one of the country’s first Orthodox churches. Although the church is a ruin today, much of the original structure still stands, and is a fascinating monument to Ethiopia’s varied religious past.

Yeha Temple

Address: Yeha, Tigray

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6. Emir Nur Tomb

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The walled city of Harar is of great significance to those interested in African history. The wall itself was built on the orders of Emir Nur ibn Mujahid, in the 16th Century, and stands today at its full height of over 4 metres (13.1 ft). This is one of two monuments to the Emir, the second being his ornate tomb which sits on a hill surrounded by dwellings, and is a monument of pilgrimage for Ethiopian and Somali Muslims.

Emir Nur Tomb

Address: Harar, Eastern Ethiopia

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7. Awash Valley

Awash River Valley, Asaita, Afar, Ethiopia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Cook.bri used under CC BY-SA 3.0

One of Ethiopia’s designated UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Awash Valley is an imposing geographical feature through which flows the river of the same name. The valley has been the site for a number of significant historical digs, many of which have found human remains dating back millennia. One dig, in 1974, found 52 fragments of a skeleton which the anthropologists nicknamed “Lucy”, and which were dated to 3.2 million years of age.

Awash Valley

Address: Afar region, Ethiopia

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8. Gebre Meskel Tombs

Cross at tombs of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel Axum Ethiopia
Source: Photo by user amanderson2 used under CC BY 2.0

Among archaeologists, it is widely accepted that one of the most interesting phases of African architecture is the Aksumite period, and for many, the best example of the genre is found at the tomb complex of Gebre Meskel, a king who ruled in the 6th century. The precision of the carvings and the construction is beyond anything found elsewhere in Aksum, and consists of a chamber with five rooms - of which one has a beautifully finished portal. Within that room lie three decorated sarcophagi; one of these may contain the remains of Gebre Meskel - but, according to legend, he may also be buried at Debre Damo, a two-hour drive away!

Gebre Meskel Tombs

Address: Enno Littman St., Aksum, Ethiopia

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9. Queen of Sheba’s Palace

The Bath of the Queen of Sheba, Axum, Ethiopia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user A. Davey used under CC BY 2.0

The Queen of Sheba is a mysterious figure whose first appearance in literature appears to come in the Hebrew Bible, although scholars have cast debate on whether she was a real-life queen or a mythical figure. Regardless, there are numerous historical sites worldwide with a claim to being palaces - or, more frequently, the ruins of a palace - that belonged to her. This one, in Aksum, is a popular site of worship for the substantial Ethiopian Jewish population, and covers upwards of 3,250 square metres (34,982 square feet). Regardless of whether the queen lived here, or ever lived at all, the ruins of this palace are a spectacular sight.

Queen of Sheba’s Palace

Address: Aksum, Ethiopia

Opening hours: 6:30am - 5:30pm (daily)

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10. Great Beal Gebri Ruins

Interior, Temple of the Moon, Yeha, Ethiopia
Source: Photo by user A.Davey used under CC BY 2.0

The ruins at Great Beal Gebri are a site of current and long-term historical interest, with their presence in Yeha pointing to their religious importance. Beneath the surface lies evidence of a tomb complex, and the spectacular walled structure offers a stunning backdrop for an excursion to the town of Yeha, where you can also find the temple. The area is currently being restored by a team of experts, but for the moment it still offers a wonderful window on the past.

Great Beal Gebri Ruins

Address: Yeha, Ethiopia

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A trip through history in Ethiopia

historical places in ethiopia | a trip through history in ethiopia
Source: Pixabay

While many historically inclined travellers may see other countries as being richer in sites worth seeing, the relatively untapped nature of Ethiopia makes it a hugely interesting place to visit and learn more about. The road of Ethiopian civilisation has been a long and winding one, and taking the time to see its key historical sites is an endeavour you’ll be glad you embarked upon.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Antonia Kelly is a freelance writer based in Leicester, UK and she enjoys European travel as well as road trips closer to home. Her favourite domestic destinations include Snowdonia and the Brecon...Read more

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