St. George's Cathedral

St. George's Cathedral is an octagonal house of worship built in neoclassical style, featuring grey stone walls and a blue ceiling painted with golden stars. The building includes an adjoining museum space that holds objects of religious and historical significance.

Emperor Menelik II commissioned this building in 1896 to mark Ethiopia's military victory against Italian forces. The structure was completed soon after this key triumph and has symbolized national independence ever since.

This cathedral holds deep meaning for Ethiopian Orthodox believers who gather here for major religious celebrations and daily worship. The space reflects how faith shapes the rhythm of community life in Addis Abeba.

You can visit the building and museum with a single ticket, accessed from Fitawrari Gebeyehu Street in downtown Addis Abeba. It's best to go in the morning when light fills the interior better and the space is less crowded.

Craftspeople from Greece, Armenia, and India participated in the decoration, while Ethiopian artist Afewerk Tekle designed the mosaics and interior artwork. This cross-cultural collaboration shaped how the interior looks today.

Location: Addis Ababa

Inception: 1896

Founders: Menilek II

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

GPS coordinates: 9.03669,38.75142

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02