Addis Ababa
The world’s third highest capital city of Ethiopia Addis Ababa meaning ‘new flower’ founded during the last decade of the 19th century by emperor Menilik ll. The site was chosen by the wife of the Emperor Itege Tayitu Betul. The Empress was impressed by the hot mineral spring “Filwoha”, and had built a house for herself near the area where members of the royal court liked to take mineral baths. Nobility members, their staffs and other households started settling in the vicinity and made the emperor decide his wife’s houses to become the imperial palace which still remains the seat of government. The National palace is also known as the Jubilee Palace (built to mark Emperor Haile Selassie’s Silver Jubilee in 1955) which is also the residence of the President of Ethiopia.
The capital Addis Ababa lies at the foot of Entoto Mountains to the north stretching to the south direction to the Great Rift Valley with an approximate elevation of 2,500 meters (7,500 feet) above sea level. The city has a subtropical highland climate complex mix of highland climate zones, with temperature differences depending on elevation and prevailing wind patterns. The high elevation moderates temperatures year-round, and the city’s position near the equator means that temperatures are very constant from month to month.
Addis Ababa is therefore often referred to as “the political capital of Africa” for its historical, diplomatic and political significance for the continent. The city was the site for the foundation of the Organization of Africa unity (OAU) which eventually became the African Union and much of the global NGOs and numerous other continental and international organizations focused on Africa.
From the first hotel in the country, Tayitu hotel, particularly unchanged since its presence in 1907 located at the heart of the city at Piassa, Addis Ababa has a distinct architectural style. Unlike many African cities, Addis Ababa was not built as a colonial settlement. This means that the city did not have a European style of architecture but it changed after the invasion of the fascist in 1936. The city center Piazza could be the most evident indicator of fascist influence having buildings that are very much like the Italian architectural style. There are also cinemas, restaurants, as well as small cafes, and European-style shopping centers. Notable buildings in the area include St George Cathedral (founded in 1896 and also home to a museum), Holy Trinity Cathedral (once the largest Ethiopian Orthodox Cathedral) as well as the burial place of Emperor Haile Selassie and the Imperial family, and those who fought the Italians during the World War ll. Near Holy Trinity Cathedral is the Parliament building, built during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, with its clock tower. It continues to serve as the seat of Parliament today.
There are several interesting museums in Addis Ababa, the best of its type in Africa containing some of the wonderful artifacts dating to the pre Judaic religion and the south Arabian period. The national and the ethnographic museums are among few of them. Addis Ababa offers more than enough in the way of
sightseeing and outgoings to keep a curious traveler going for a week, something you could not say of too many African capitals.
One of the largest open- air markets in Africa is located in the heart of the city district beside the impressive Grand Anwar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Ethiopia built during the Italian occupation. A few meters to the southwest of the Anwar Mosque is the Raguel Church built after the liberation by Empress Menen. The proximity of the mosque and the church has symbolized the long peaceful relations between Christianity and Islam in Ethiopia. Here you will be presented with a confusing but fascinating glimpse of the very vast range of goods, spices and artifacts available from all parts of the country and you will enjoy the Ethiopian trade exchange tradition in the open air and you can purchase anything you need.
There are many interesting contrasts that the city can provide for the visitors during their stay.
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