Main Market


The main market, with spices and the like, runs all week, but is busiest on Saturday.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Ta’akha Maryam

0.16 MILES

This is one site where the past very much outweighs the present, at least for now. Early excavations revealed that Ta’akha Maryam was a magnificent palace…

2. Basket Market

0.25 MILES

Aksum has two interesting markets that burst to life on Saturday; both are best between 10.30am and noon. This one takes place under the massive fig tree…

3. Old Palace

0.3 MILES

This old palace was under reconstruction at the time of writing.

4. Old Quarter

0.31 MILES

It’s worth taking a wander around the old quarter surrounding the Northern Stelae Field and stretching west to Ta’akha Maryam. It’s in these dusty streets…

5. Arabtu Ensessa Church

0.33 MILES

The ‘Four Beasts’ Church, named after the writers of the Biblical Gospels, was rebuilt in the 1950s and is worth a look for the wonderful murals (most…

6. Old Church of St Mary of Zion

0.37 MILES

The rectangular, men-only old church at the southern end of the complex of churches here is a remarkable example of traditional architecture built by the…

7. Throne Stone

0.37 MILES

At the top of the stairs in front of the old St Mary of Zion Church is the Throne Stone where the coronation of 261 Aksumite kings took place.

8. Ark of the Covenant Chapel

0.38 MILES

In between the old and new St Mary of Zion churches is the real reason for most people’s devotion: a tiny, carefully guarded chapel that houses what most…