Aksum

Church of St. Mary of Zion

Ethiopian legend has it that the Church is the repository of the Ark of the Covenant the subject of the controversial book The Sign and the Seal, which is said to have been stolen with God's will from the temple of Jerusalem by Menelik I, Solomon's own son by the legendary Queen of Sheba. The chapel in which the Ark is kept is not accessible to anyone, even the Ethiopian emperors. The high entrance fee to the church compound is deterring, but sometimes the guards let you have a look from the outside without having to pay. There are two churches in the compound: the old church, which was built by Emperor Fasiladas in 1665, and a new church built in the 1960s by Haile Selassie. Pilgrims flock to the church for a festival on Hidar 21 November 30.

Northern Stelae Field

including the Ezana Stele and the Giant Stele. The numerous monolithic stelae are fashioned out of solid granite. Their mystery lies in that it is not known exactly by whom, and for what purpose, they were fashioned, although they were likely associated with burials of great emperors. The biggest monolith and the largest in the world, measuring over thirty-three meters 108 feet and weighing about 500 tons, fell somewhere around the 4th Century AD and now lies in broken fragments on the ground. The second largest, which measures 24 meters 78 feet high, is still standing at the entrance to the field, although it is leaning at a slight angle. Another stele, 24.8 meters 80 feet high, fell while the tombs were being pillaged around the 10th Century AD. It was stolen by the invading forces of Fascist Italy and taken to Rome, where it stood, from 1937 to 2005. It was returned to Aksum and re-erected in 2008. The mausoleum and the tomb of the brick walls are not open to the public anymore. The Tomb of the False Door is very impressive with its accurate workmanship.

Palace of the Queen of Sheba

only the foundations of this palace near the Judith stelae field remain. Although every calls it the Palace of the Queen of Sheba, it actually dates from the 7th Century AD, about 1500 years after the time of the Queen of Sheba.

Lioness of Gobedra

a stone carving of a lion, a few kms out of town in direction Shire. It is close to the quarry where the stelae were made. Ask a local boy to show you where.

The tombs of the kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskel, a 20-minute walk along the road heading northeast from the northern stelae field. Impressive foundations and tombs. Take a torch.

Ezanas Scriptures

on the way from the northern stelae field to the tombs of the kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskel, usually closed, wait for the keybearer.

Judith (Gudit) Stelae Field

out of town in direction Shire, of inferior quality in comparison to the Northern Stelae Field

Ezana park

where there is another multilingual script table of king Ezana.

Archaelogical museum

a collection of stone artefacts giving you an idea how advanced the culture was.

A ticket from the tourist commission, located off the roundabout 400 m south of the Northern Stelae Field, covers admission to all sights except the Church of St. Mary of Zion.

Monastery of Abba Pantaleon

The monastery overlooking the city, featuring relics and interesting artwork. It is a bit difficult to reach. Men only.