Although smaller in size than the northwestern group, the southeastern cluster offers not only one of Lalibela’s most finely carved churches, but also a touch of intrigue with various historians debating whether some churches had pasts as prisons and palaces. Before I proceed though… I received a couple of emails in response to my previous … Continue reading
Category Archives: Ethiopia
Beta Maryam, Ethiopia
Also known as Menelik’s Mausoleum, the Beta Maryam Mausoleum is located just south of Menelik’s palace in Addis Ababa and offers a pleasantly eerie experience for visitors. Beta Maryam from the outside: The entrance to Beta Maryam: The church interior: After the priest has rolled up the carpet and pried open the large metal door … Continue reading
The Red Terror Martyr’s Memorial
Located just off Meskal Square, the Red Terror Martyr’s Memorial is a good way to get up to speed on the activities of the Derg. The Derg (or Dergue) was a communist military junta that came to power in Ethiopia following the ousting of Emperor Haile Selassie. Derg, which means “committee” was the short name … Continue reading
Haile Selassie’s Gannata Le’ul Palace and The 1960 Coup
Set within Halie Selassie’s former palace (known to Ethiopians as Gannata Le’ul Palace) and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University’s main campus is the Ethnological Museum. Even if you’re not normally a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of your time. Aside from being a decent museum, on … Continue reading
Art / Ethiopia / Places We Go
Meet Solomon Fissha
I met Solomon while I was wandering around on my own near Meskal Square. His English was pretty good and before long he revealed that he had a special talent that he hoped to use to get into the Guinness Book of World Records… Solomon claimed that he could draw a self-portrait of himself with … Continue reading
Lake Tana, Ethiopia
Lake Tana is Ethiopia’s largest, covering over 3,500 square kilometers, and its waters are the source of the Blue Nile, which flows 5, 223 kilometers north to the Mediterranean Sea. Lounging lakeside and watching squadrons of pelicans skirting the surface might be the most relaxing way to pass the time here, but your editor gets … Continue reading
Meskal Square, Addis Ababa
Placed in one of the more modern sections of Addis Ababa, Meskal Square has a number of streets pouring into it – Bole Road, Ras Desta Damtew Street, Jomo Kenyetta Avenue, Menelik II Avenue, Ras Mekonen Avenue, Ras Biru Wolde Gebriel Street, etc. And those are just the main streets! Views of Meskal Square: One … Continue reading
The Velvet Rocket 