Fasil Ghebbi is the name given to the unique 17th century fortress city located in the northern town of Gondar, literally meaning “Fasil’s premises”. Often described as the Camelot of Africa, Fasil Ghebbi served as the royal residence of Ethiopian emperor Fasilidas and his successors at a time when Gondar was the country’s capital. Enclosed within the 900-metre long wall are crenellated castles, palaces, churches and other buildings, some of them still intact enough to give an excellent impression of the era. Just outside the fortress city, lies the “bathing palace” of Fasilidas which these days is filled with water once a year to commemorate the Timket (epiphany) festival.