Gondar

The city of Gondar lies north of Lake Tana and southwest of the Simien Mountains, at an altitude of 2133 masl. Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia from 1632 to 1855. It was founded by Emperor Fasilides (reign 1632 – 1667) around the year 1635, who broke with the tradition of Ethiopian emperors to travel around their territories, living off the produce of peasants and dwelling in tents. Fasilides declared the city of Gondar as capital of his empire and ordered the construction of what is known as the Royal Enclosure or Fasil Ghebbi. The area around the Fasil Ghebbi was protected by a wall with 12 gates. Subsequent emperors built their own structures, many of which survive either in whole or part today. Because of the unique architectural styles of the stone buildings, the castles, palaces, banqueting hall, kiosks, pavilions, stables, churches, library and giant bathing pool, The Royal Enclosure of Gondar was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The Fasil Ghebbi is also known as the ‘Camelot of Africa’. Outside the enclosure, Gondar City developed as an agricultural and trading town. Only a few of the 44 churches reputed to have existed in Gondar in the 18th century survive, but the city is still an important centre of the Ethiopian Orthodox church. A visit to Its beautifully decorated 17th-century Debre Berhan Selassie Church is an absolute MUST!