Gondar, Medieval castles in Gondar, Ethiopia
Gondar is a large city in northern Ethiopia known for its 17th and 18th century stone castles. The Royal Enclosure includes several palaces and fortifications within a 900-meter-long wall, surrounded by highland hills.
Emperor Fasilides made this city Ethiopia's capital in 1636 and began building the palaces. His successors added more structures over two centuries until the capital moved in 1855.
Debre Birhan Selassie Church shows Ethiopian religious art with ceiling paintings of 80 cherub faces and wall murals of biblical scenes. Visitors experience Orthodox tradition here through preserved iconography and the presence of priests wearing traditional white robes.
The elevation at 2,133 meters (7,000 feet) provides mild temperatures throughout the year, with domestic flights from Addis Ababa taking about one hour. Main attractions lie close together and can be reached on foot or by local taxis.
Fasilides Bath, a stone pool surrounded by towers, becomes a ceremonial baptism site during the January Timkat festival. Thousands of worshippers gather here to bless the water and reenact the baptism of Christ.
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