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Gondar
was founded by the emperor Fasiledas in 1636 and was
the capital of the country for the next two
centuries.
The city's main imperial precinct, known as the
Royal Enclosure, covers an area of 7.7 hectares and
contains five castles, raised walk ways and
connecting tunnels surrounding by high stone walls
build in the mid-17th & 18th century; it reflects a
number of influences, Axumite, Portuguese and
Indian. Beside the royal enclosure, Visitors
inspects the Bathing palace of Emperor Fasiladas,
which is used for the annual Timket or Epiphany,
celebration; the ruins of the palace and abbey, of
the redoubtable 18th centuries Empress Mentewab at
Quesquam ,the decorated church of Debre Berhan
Selassie, which the walls and ceiling are completely
covered in murals and the Felasha (Ethiopian Jews)
village, though vacated by almost all of its Felasha
occupants.
Visitors could make a day trip south to Gorgora, at
the northern end of Lake Tana, and visit the very
fine and recently restored medieval church of Debre
Sina Mariam or a day trip or longer treks in to the
awe-inspiring Simien Mountains National parks. (It
is UNESCO's World Heritage Site and Ethiopia's
popular hiking destination.)
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