Gondar… the Camelot of Africa

Gondar, which Emperor Fasilidas founded as his capital in 1636, is the site of numerous castle-like palaces, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. The city was Ethiopia’s capital until the reign of Emperor Tewodros II, also known as Theodore. During the long years when it was a capital the settlement emerged as one of the largest, and most populous, city in the realm. It was a great commercial centre, trading with the rich lands south of the Blue Nile, as well as with Sudan, to the west, inhabitants include many rich Catholic and Muslim merchants, as well as a number of Falashas, or Judaic Ethiopians, also called Bete Israel, who were predominantly weavers, blacksmiths and potters, as well as palace and church builders.

Besides the famous palaces in the royal compound, visitors should inspect the so-called Bathing Palace of Emperor Fasilidas, which is used for the annual Timket or Epiphany, celebrations; the ruins of the Palace, and abbey, of the redoubtable 18th century Empress Mentewab, at Qwesquam, in the mountains just outside Gondar, and just out of the town centre, the church of Debre Berhan Selassie, with its remarkable ceiling decorated with winged angels.