The most unique aspect of many towns and cities in Ethiopia is their distinctiveness. Addis is modern, big, crowded and hilly, where Harar is a medieval walled city which seems to take you back in time. In stark contrast to Addis Ababa is Axum a town located somewhere in the middle of nowhere, while Bahirdar is relaxed and tropical.
Among the most inspiring and charming of places is Gondar Ethiopia with its art-deco Italian elegance. Whichever places tourists visit Gondar Ethiopia should be on their must see list of destinations.
Gondar is re-known for its 300 year old Disney like castles and absorbing architecture from the 1930’s. It also offers an amazing array of colorful flowers that tempt one to stay a lot longer than planned.
Gondar Ethiopia is situated in the North – West of Ethiopia, south is Tana Lake and north are the Simien Mountains. Travelers generally come here from Axum, Bahirdar or Simien and if not going further north turn eastward to Lalibela. The road north and east of Gondar is stunning.
This is the best of what can be experienced in the Abyssinian plateau, but is the most difficult to travel if we are talking about the main roads in the north of Ethiopia. The road to Axum, built by the Italians during there occupation of Ethiopia in the 1930’s is an extreme feat of engineering. The road twists and turns with sharp bends that go on for much longer than any map would suggest. It crosses the highest Ethiopian mountain range Simien, which makes it another must stop-over, for any tourist.
Expeditions across the Simien range are more attractive with tourists, calling more and more on those who try to find the last forgotten spots in the world. This is undoubtedly one of those places, but for how long will it remain so ?
No matter how you reach Gondar, its appeal will cause you to want to stay longer than you planned. For the traveler seeking to immerse themselves in history it is a location rich in ancient history and stunning scenic views.
The Gondarine Empire
Gondar was established where the long-distance trade routes crossed. Gold, salt, ivory and slaves were carried, sold and bought there. It is not known exactly when Gondar began life as a trading center.
However, it is obvious that the beginning of its power was connected with moving the Empire’s political center towards the western part of the Abyssinian plateau in the 17th Cent. From that point in time, Gonder began to be the first capital of Ethiopia since the Axumite Empire.
Before the rise of Gonder successive Emperors along with their courtiers would exercise powers from nomadic encampments. Gonder was at the center of the Empire’s seat of power until the mid-19th century after which time it was forsaken and slowly declined.
Italians came to Ethiopia in 1936. They started and won a bloody war, and occupied the country. Emperor Selassie I, conscious that to stay in Ethiopia would mean certain death to him and his family, left to Europe and continued political struggle for his country. Gondar was by then the long forgotten place, with its castles left to fall into disrepair.
But this town charmed and became a big attraction to the Italians. The settlement of the Italians started a new phase in the history of Gondar. They pronounced it a capital of a newly established Amhara province and began the construction of houses, hotels and government buildings.
They even constructed an artificial lake, so that the Governor of the province had a view from his residency, what is now one of the most attractive Gonder hotels. The town was created in an art-deco style, where Italian restaurants and coffee houses were found in abundance as they still are to this day.
About the Author
Dr. Rubinkowska travels frequently to Ethiopia. A lecturer at Warsaw University, Department of African Languages and Cultures she specializes in the history of Ethiopia.
More information on ethiopia africa is available at ethiopiantour.com or you can follow the continuation about the castles and ruins at gondar ethiopia where on an ethiopia website we also have other travel reviews and facts about Ethiopia.
