Due to its historic and cultural value, Axum was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Axum history

The Aksumite Empire was a naval trading power that ruled the region as early as the 4th century BC until the 10th century AD. Around 356 BC, the empire converted to a variety of Christianity under the guidance of a Lebanese monk called Frumentius or Abuna. Later under Emperor Kaleb, Axum allied with Byzantium.

The Aksumite Empire peaked under the Emperor Ezana in the 4th century as it embraced Christianity. Coins issued around 270 AD were the first to bear Christianity’s symbol of the cross, following the Roman design by also showing the ruler.

The empire fell into decline after the 7th century as the Arabs began contesting Red Sea trade routes, eventually cut off from trading with Alexandria, Byzantium and Southern Europe. Axum was then laid waste to by the Empress Gudit of Semien and the power centre moved south to Agaw.

Axum today

Supposed to have been brought to Ethiopia by the Queen of Sheba, the infamous Ark of the Covenant is currently under the care of the patriarch of the Ethiopian Church in a vault at the church of St Mary of Zion. The Ark is occasionally brought out for ritual processions. Most of the time, however, it is under guard in the church.

Other important sites within the city are the Stelae Park. Much excavated, the stelae are thought to mark graves. Further areas of interest include the Queen of Sheba’s bath (Sheba is thought to have lived in Axum) and two Royal Palaces, on from the 4th century and one from the 6th century.

Getting to Axum

Axum is best reached by car, just south of the border with Eritrea along the B30 highway. The ancient site is about a 3 hour and 45 minute drive from Mek’ele, the northern region’s capital city.

Today, Harar Jugol is a UNESCO World Heritage site, best known for its distinctive and well preserved historic townhouses which reflect its cultural heritage, particularly those of African and Islamic traditions. The most intact elements of the historic town of Harar Jugol are said to lie in the eastern and south-eastern part of the walled town.

Harar Jugol history

The area of Haar Jugol emerged as the centre of Islamic culture and religion during the Middle Ages. The Islamic Arabic cleric Abadir Umar ar-Rida settled in Harar, located on a plateau surrounded by deep gorges and savannah, around 1216 AD. The historic Harar Jugol Walls were built during the 13th and 16th centuries, fortifying the town.

It was between 1520 and 1568 that Harar served as the capital of the Harari Kingdom in what is known as Harar’s ‘Golden Age’. Local culture flourished, known for coffee, weaving, basketry and bookbinding, also home to many poets. From the late 16th century to the 19th century Harar Jugol was an important trade centre between the coast and the interior highlands and a location for Islamic learning.

Harar Jugol became an independent emirate in the 17th century until it was invaded by Egypt in 1875. In 1887 Harar Jugol was integrated into Ethiopia by the Emperor Menelik II, and suffered commercially as the French built the Addis Ababa to Djibouti Railway, diverting north of Harar to save money.

Harar Jugol today

Today, this unique African and Islamic city can offer 110 mosques and many more shrines, centred around Feres Magala Square. Notable buildings to visit include the Medhane Alem Cathedral, the houses of Ras Makonnen and Arthur Rimbaud (pictured), as well as the Great Five Gates of Harar.

During the 1960s, locals began feeding meat to nearby spotted hyenas which can often be seen at night. For further interesting wildlife, there is an ancient population of feral horse on Kondudo or ‘W’ Mountain, now the focus of a conservation effort. You could also visit the Harar Brewery, established in 1984.

Getting to Harar Jugol

The city of Hara Jugol is served by Dire Dawa international airport, with a bus into the city and also services to Adis Ababa. Within Harar, there are the blue and white minibuses that make travel within the city easy and cheap.

Even beyond the 16th century, the walled city of Harar Jugol continued to be an important trading hub. It would become an independent emirate in the 17th century and part of Ethiopia in the 19th century.

Harar Jugol Wall history

The Harar Jugol Wall is believed to have been built between the 13th and 16th centuries. The Harar Jugol Wall originally had five historic gates providing five entries into five different districts of the city. The wall was built as a defense in medieval times, an imposing 5m high and 3.5km long. The old town is surrounded by this fascinating wall with the famous gates, Shoa Gate, Buda Gate, Erer Gate, Sanga Gate and Fallana Gate. In 1889 a sixth gate, Harar gate, was added by Ras Makonnen, the first duke of Harar.

The African and Islamic traditions influenced over a long period of time the development of the city and its typical urban planning and contributed to its particular character and uniqueness. The present urban layout follows the 16th century design for an Islamic town with its central core occupied with commercial and religious buildings and a maze of narrow alleyways with imposing facades.

Modern Hārer surrounds the old capital, which is Ethiopia’s only walled city. The ancient walls enclose a crowded Muslim town with alleyways that wind to a central marketplace. Outside the walls, the city spreads across the plateau and is characterized by northern Ethiopian and European architecture. Because of ritual differences in slaughtering, separate Muslim and Christian marketplaces are maintained.

Harar Jugol Wall today

Today, Harar Jugol is considered to be the world’s ‘fourth holy city of Islam and is home to 82 mosques – 3 of 10th century origin – as well as historic buildings and shrines. The layout of Harar Jugol is also of historic significance. The whole city of Harar Jugol is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Getting to Harar Jugol Wall

To get to Harar Jugol, there is a bus service from Addis Abaha and Dire Dawa. Old town Harar is primarily accessible on foot as it is crossed by 368 narrow alleyways.

Today, the Lalibela Rock Churches are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Lalibela Rock Churches history

King Lalibela was a member of the Zagwe dynasty, who had ousted the previous dynasty in the 11th century AD. He was a Christian and his creation of these churches was part of his wish to create a ‘New Jerusalem’ for those who could not make the pilgrimage to the holy sites of that city.

Lalibela Rock Churches today

Visitors will see one of Lalibela’s churches, Beta Maryam, has a pillar on which the secrets of the building of the churches is written. This is now covered by cloths and only the priests are allowed to read it.

The Lalibela churches are full of religious symbols, including crosses, swastikas and stars of David, the latter echoing the claim of previous dynasties to descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Some of the Lalibela churches even sport wall paintings.

For example, Beta Golgotha has life size carvings of the saints on its walls and is said to be the home of the burial site of King Lalibela, who abdicated his throne and became a religious hermit, eating only vegetables. He is considered to be a Saint in Ethiopia.

Getting to Lalibela Rock Churches

Access to the buildings is down a rocky staircase. Once down, the Lalibela churches are linked by a series of tunnels and walkways. To reach Lalibela you can fly into the small local airport from Adis Ababa then hire a car or driver to take you 14 miles north into the city.

The Yeha Temple history

Yeha is thought to have been the pre-aksumite capital of Ethiopia, and the Yeha Temple dates to this period, particularly 700 BC during the reign of D’mt. The temple was built in honour of the moon god Almougah in the Sabean style, which was common across sub-Saharan Africa.

Archaeologists also believe the Yeha Temple was repurposed in the 6th century AD as a Christian church and St Abuna Aftse monastery – a theory which would explain its fantastic state of preservation – as the religion spread through the region. A remarkable aspect of the Yeha Temple is that it was constructed without the use of mortar.

Other places of interest at Yeha include a burial ground and ruined buildings containing, amongst other things, some interesting square columns. There have been some archaeological digs in the area, dating back to the early 1950’s.

The Yeha Temple today

Towering over the small town of Yeha, the temple remains give visitors a sense of awe with its 5 metre-tall doorway and massive interior that features a deep pool once used for ceremonies. See stone-carved inscriptions that tell the tale of Almougah’s glory and power.

Getting to The Yeha Temple

The only way of reaching the Yeha Temple is by driving: head east for 20 kilometres from Bahar Dar towards Adwa.