Day 01
Museums, Cathedrals, and Merkato in Addis Ababa
- We will start our day by walking from your hotel to the National Archaeological Museum. Here, visitors can see exhibits ranging from the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy through the Axumite and Gonderian periods to the monarchs Tewodros and Menelik.
- After lunch, we will visit the Ethnographic Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, where we can see clothing from different regions, along with artifacts and household utensils, as well as a separate section of paintings reflecting the history and culture of the country.
- Our next stop will be Trinity Cathedral, where many patriots of the war against the Italian invaders are buried. Passing Menelik's Palace, we then proceed to Africa Hall at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Africa for a look at the large stained-glass artwork designed by Ethiopian artist Afewerk Tekle.
- Saint George's Cathedral is an Ethiopian Orthodox church in Addis Ababa, noted for its distinctive octagonal form. It is located at the northern end of Churchill Road in the city.
- The new church was built on the ruins of an older church from the 15th century. It was named after St. George after the Tabot (Ark) of the church was carried to the Battle of Adwa against the Italians, during which the Ethiopians secured victory. One of the founders was Andargaye, and his daughter, Kisela Andargaye, and her husband, Agonafir Woldeyess, are buried in the churchyard.
- The building was described in 1938 in an Italian tourist publication as a fine example of the European interpretation of Ethiopian church design. Empress Zewditu was crowned at this cathedral in 1917, and Emperor Haile Selassie was crowned there in 1930. It later became a pilgrimage site for Rastafarians. The cathedral also has a museum, where an Imperial throne is on display, along with stained-glass works by artist Afewerk Tekle.
- We then move to Merkato, the largest open-air market area in Africa, where virtually every possible commodity is on sale. There is also a huge selection of Ethiopian arts and crafts. End of the city tour.
