Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion

The church complex includes three main structures: the old church building, the Chapel of the Ark of the Covenant, and the new cathedral from 1950.

The original structure dates back to 340 CE when King Ezana declared Christianity as the official religion of the Aksumite Kingdom.

The church serves as the central spiritual site of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and remains a traditional coronation place for Ethiopian emperors.

The entrance from Daro Ela Square leads through three concentric enclosures, with the first area containing thirteen stone thrones near the pathway.

According to Ethiopian tradition, the Chapel of the Ark of the Covenant within the church complex houses the original Ark of the Covenant.

Location: Axum

Inception: 1964

Architectural style: Byzantine Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 14.13028,38.71944

Latest update: June 17, 2025 18:50