Highlights: Axum, Northern Region of Ethiopia
Axum
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Worth Noting:
Type:
- City tours
- Religious sites
- Historical sites
- Archaeological sites
- Museums
Difficulty:
- Easy
Park Fees:
- Under 50 USD
About Axum
Once the capital of the Axumite Empire, Axum, also known as Aksum, was once a major trading centre with ties to Persia, Arabia, India and Rome. The Empire’s heyday was from the 1st to the 7th centuries AD, during which time the kingdom became known as Ethiopia. In around the 4th century, the Axumite Empire, and Ethiopia as a whole, converted to Christianity and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church was born. For this reason, Axum is considered by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians to be the most holy place in Ethiopia.
The town is said to have been the home of the Queen of Sheba who returned from a visit to King Solomon of the Old Testament carrying his unborn child. The son of this union was Emperor Menelik, the first of the Solomonic Emperors of Ethiopia from whom all emperors through to Emperor Haile Selassie are descended. Emperor Menelik allegedly returned from a visit to his father with the original Ark of the Covenant, which remains in Axum to this day. Although the Ark of the Covenant cannot be viewed, the remains of the Queen of Sheba’s palace are open for visitors.
The Stelae Park, or field of obelisks, is Axum’s most famous site, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stelae are believed to have been carved in the 4th century AD and to have been grave markers for royal burial chambers. The largest of the stelae was taken to Rome in 1937, during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, and the monument was only re-erected in its original home in Axum in 2008. Also of interest here are the Archaeological Museum of Axum and the Cathedral of St Maryam Tsion, or Mary of Zion.
Other Highlights In The Northern Region
The most famous site in Ethiopia, and the one that arguably no visitor should miss, is Lalibela. Sometimes called the Eighth Wonder of the World, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities, visited as a pilgrimage site by many Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. ...
The jutting rocks and cliffs of Tigrey region are striking formations in themselves, made even more remarkable by the churches cut into many of their peaks. Some of these churches are dated to even earlier than those of Lalibela, possibly from the 4th century AD. The region, once known for ...
Once the capital of the Axumite Empire, Axum, also known as Aksum, was once a major trading centre with ties to Persia, Arabia, India and Rome. The Empire’s heyday was from the 1st to the 7th centuries AD, during which time the kingdom became known as Ethiopia. In ...
Formed before the formation of the Rift Valley, the Simian Mountains were created by an outpouring of lava after a volcanic eruption between 40 and 25 million years ago, while the dramatic escarpment was created by an extended up-thrust that could have happened as much as 75 million years ago. The mountains are ...
Established as the capital by Emperor Fasiladas in 1636, Gondar was the Royal Capital of Ethiopia until the 1860s. The castles and palaces built during these years have led Gondar to be referred to as the Camelot of Africa, and to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the demise ...
On the southern shore of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake and the source of the Blue Nile, Bahir Dar is an attractive palm-lined town. Lake Tana is dotted with islands, some of which have monasteries containing the remains of ancient Ethiopian emperors and treasures of the Ethiopian church. ...
Accommodations Near Axum
Located in front of St Pentelion Monastery Church, Consolar International Hotel is conveniently situated in the centre of Axum. The 33 en-suite rooms are made up of singles, twins, doubles and royal standard king rooms. All rooms are equipped with TV, electronic safe, Wifi and minibar, and some of the doubles ...
Axum is the home of the famous Stele Field, believed to have been carved in the 4th century AD. The 72 en-suite rooms are made up of twins, doubles and kings. All rooms have TV, Wifi, minibar and safe. The meeting room can accommodate 150 pax, and has aircon and sound system. ...
Saint Yared, born in Axum, was a legendary Ethiopian musician who invented Ethiopia’s system of music notation. He composed the sacred music of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and established the music traditions still in use in the church to this day. He is particularly esteemed for creating the chants – ...
Axum is the home of the famous Stele Field, believed to have been carved in the 4th century AD. On a hill overlooking the town, Yeha Hotel has 63 en-suite rooms, all equipped with TV and desk. The restaurant serves Ethiopian and some international dishes, and the bar has a selection ...
In the centre of Axum, Armah International Hotel offers comfortable accommodation with easy access to the shops, restaurants and sites of Axum. There are 29 en-suite rooms, made up of 21 doubles, 4 twins and 4 singles. All rooms have Wifi, and are furnished with wooden furniture. The restaurant serves Ethiopian food and a ...