Ethiopia, once called Abyssinia, is the oldest independent country in Sub Saharan Africa. Ethiopia is old beyond imaginings and arguably one of the world's most interesting destinations that very few people ever visit. The earliest evidence of Ethiopian history was in around 1000BC when the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon. Unique among African countries, the Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule. It has a written history of over 3000 years and far earlier than that we find proof that 'Lucy' or Dinknesh, the oldest hominid, whose remains were found in Ethiopia's Great Rift Valley, lived here.

Much of the fascination of Ethiopia lies in the myriad historical sites, the obelisks and stele of Axum, the churches and Coptic monasteries in the Tigria area, the ancient monasteries in Lake Tana, the monolithic churches of Lalibela, the royal enclosure in Gondar, the walls of Harar, and so forth.

Axum

The Axumite kingdom was one of the great civilizations of the ancient world and has left behind the mystery of the great Stelae found at Axum.
The ruins at Yeha, that date even earlier than Axum leave yet another mystery ... More on Axum...

 

Lalibela

In the late middle Ages, great religious civilizations flourished in many parts of the country, particularly at Lalibela, where churches hewn out of massive monolithic rock testify not only to great faith but also to great architectural skills..... More on Lalibela...

 

Gondar

In the former capital of Gondar many significant castles speak of the same legacy of architectural skills and religious zeal. Gondar, 'the African Camelot', was the center of learning.... More on Gondar...

 

Lake Tana Monasteries

There are 37 islands that are scattered about the surface of Lake Tana, out of which some 20 shelter churches and monasteries of immense historical and cultural interest. These churches are decorated with beautiful paintings and house innumerable treasures. Their typical location may have saved them from looters..... More on Tana Monasteries...

 

Harar

This medieval walled city, is a city of mosques, minarets, colorful markets and a center of Muslim learning.
The romantic walled city of Harar is considered by many Muslims to be the fourth "Holy City" following Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem..... More on Harar...

 

Jimma

Jimma is the commercial city and passage of the coffee that comes from that region, which incidentally is the origin of coffee. The city has an interesting history of its own..... More on Jimma...

 

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and the Diplomatic capital of Africa. It has a number of historic sites of its own.... Read More on Addis Ababa...