Gondar

The city of Gondar was our last stop in Ethiopia and was very different from Axum. Although once again the seat of an ancient Empire, the ruins at Gondar are gigantic and much more impressive than those found in Axum. To imagine the Axumite empire one must bolster the imagination with only old coins and pottery as inspiration. In Gondar, the buildings of the royal enclosure feel as though you are walking through a fairy tale.. No extra imagination is required, you just know this Empire must have been incredible!

In the 1600's Emperor Fasiladas seeing that Gondar had promise, opted to move his capital. The little agricultural settlement grew into a metropolis of more than 60 000 people and with their riches came castles, royal baths and religious buildings. For more than a century the capital grew in reputation, until it finally fell. At the heart of the modern city sits the Royal Enclosure. Fasilidas Palace, built by the founding emperor, stands high above the compound, near the main entrance. You enter this castle via an impressive stone staircase, and immediately you imagine grand banquets, eloquent balls, Knights and Emperors. Surrounding the main castle, there are a few other castles built by the successors of Emperor Fasiladas, including one belonging to his son. Some of the building sustained some damage during the Italian occupation and when the English bombed the area. All in all though, these ruins were very cool!

The modern city of Gondar also offered up an amazing 4 star hotel and a great coffee shop! Given the rainy weather we were happy to be out of the tents and surrounded by a little bit of luxury!