Sights in Addis Ababa
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
St George Cathedral
Commissioned by Emperor Menelik commemorating his stunning 1896 defeat of the Italians in Adwa, the Piazza St George Cathedral was completed in 1911. The Holy of Holies' outer walls are covered in paintings and mosaics by renowned artists, like Afewerk Tekle. Also there is a museum which contains Ethiopia's best collection of ecclesiastical paraphernalia outside St Mary of Zion in Aksum.
reviewed
-
B
National Museum
Although less visually stimulating than the Ethnological Museum, the National Museum is no less thought-provoking. Its collection ranks among sub-Saharan Africa's most important. The palaeontology exhibit contains two remarkable casts of 3.2-million-year-old Lucy, a famously-fossilised upright hominid discovered in 1974. Upstairs are some celebrated Ethiopian artworks.
reviewed
-
C
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Off Niger St, the massive, ornate Holy Trinity cathedral is Ethiopia's second-most important place of worship. It's also the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife. Their massive Aksumite-style granite tombs, complete with lions' feet, are a sight indeed.
reviewed
-
D
Merkato
Wading into the market chaos known as Merkato, just west of the centre, can be as rewarding as it is exasperating. You may find the most evocative aroma wafting from precious incense. You may find your wallet stolen and stinky shit on your shoe.
reviewed
-
E
Ethnological Museum
Set within Haile Selassie's former palace and surrounded by Addis Ababa University's beautiful gardens and fountains is the enthralling Ethnological Museum. The vibrant exhibition gives great insights into Ethiopia's rich cultures.
reviewed
