Addis Ababa is a home of tremendous tourist attractions that have various cultural, historical, architectural, aesthetic, economic, spiritual, political and symbolic values. |
Palaces |
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Four palaces have known in Addis Ababa. Two of them are still serving as the main headquarters of the Ethiopian government so that they are not accessible for visitors. |
Menelik ll Palace at Entoto |
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It is located at the top of the rising slope of the Entoto Mountain.
It was built in 1880s when Entoto was used as a capital for King Menelik II of Shewa
The ‘Elfign’ (Menelik’s II residence and the ‘Adarash’ ( the principal reception Hall) are the major existing building that were served as an office and banquet. |
| Grand Palace |
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It is also called the Palace of Emperor Menelik.
It is the second oldest palace in Addis Ababa, next to the Entoto.
It is still serving as the main headquarter of the Ethiopian government (the Prime Minister).
The churches of Beta Mariam, Kidane Mihieret and the Menelik Mausoleum are found within the palace compound |
| Genet Leul Palace |
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It is found within the main campus of Addis Ababa University, Sidsit Kilo.
It was built shortly before the Italin facist invasion as the abode of Emperor Haile Selassie I.
Emperor Haile Selassie I inherited it from his father Ras Mekonnen.
Lather, the Emperor presented it to the University and has become part of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies (IES) Library and Museum.
The bedroom of the Emperor, which was used for more than 10 years and some personal gifts of the Emperor, are found in the museum and accessible for visitors. |
The National Palace |
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It was formerly known as the Jubilee Palace
It was built in 1955 to commemorate the 25th years of Emperor Haile Selasse’s reign.
Originally, it was planned as a residence of important state guest.
It beguan to be used as the personal home of the Emperor after he gave the Genet Leul palace for the Universtiy. |
Churches |
Washa Mikael |
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It is located at about a kilometer north of Yeka Mikael church.
There is still a ruin of carved rock-hewn church in the area.
According to legendary accounts, its establishment is dated to the times of ancient Axumite Kings, Abreha (Ezana) and Atseba (Saizana) i.e. around 370 A.D.
The ‘Tabot’ (the replica of the Ark of the Covenant) is said to have been transformed in 1897 into the Yeka Mikael church down the road. |
Entoto Saint Mary's Church |
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It is located at the top of the hill of Entoto.
It was built in 1880s by the request of Queen Taitu for her husband Menelik II
It is an Octagonal form with the three distinct concentric chambers.
The interior walls of the church are covered with beautiful paintings.
Abune Mathewos, the bishop, crowned Emperor Menelik II there.
The palace and the museum are also found within the church compound |
| St. Raguel Church |
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It is two-storey church situated at about a kilometer distance in the northwest of St. Mary’s Church.
Like many other Ethiopian churches, its interior wall is decorated with traditional paintings.
Around the church, there are two rock-hewn caves carved in small cliff. They were probably excavated around the close of the 14th century, during the reigh of King Dawit (r. 1380 – 1430). The one was used as a church and the other as a place for the preparation of the Holy Communion, also known as Bethelhem.
During the wars of Ahmed Gragn, the caves were used to hide religious treasures. According to the local people, the caves were also served as a resting place of Emperor Menelik II before his body was finally placed in the mausoleum at Be’eta Mariam.
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| St. George Cathedral |
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It is locate in Paisa near to the Menelik II monument
The original church was a round building of traditional style with thatched roof, built in 1897. The ‘tabot’ of St. George was marched to the Battle of Adowa. It is perhaps for its commemoration that the church was built.
The current church is an octagonal building, set in pleasant wooded gardens and elegant doomed and was built in 1906.
It is decorated with several interesting paintings and Afework Tekle (Ethiopia’s leading modern artist) did some of them.
It has a small but interesting museum, which has several valuable treasures. |
Be'eta St.Mary Church |
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It is found within the compound of the Grand palace
Empress Zewditu built it in 1911.
Paintings of the wall of the sanctuary are very interesting that also depict some the members of Menelik’s II royal family and scenes of events during his time.
The ground floor contains Menelik II Mausoleu that houses the skeletal remains of Menelik II, Empress Taitu, Empress Zewiditu, Abune Mathewos (the Archbishop who crowned Menelik) and prince Tsehay (daughter of Emperor Haile Selassie I).
Within the compound, near to the Be’eta St. Mary’s church, there is also the church of Kidane Mihert built in traditional tukuls style with a thatched peaked roof.
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