The Italian Style Legacy that is Gonder

January 9, 2009

One facet of major towns in Ethiopia is their variety, with each making an entirely different impression on the visitor. Probably the best known is Addis Ababa, large and bustling, whereas Harar is a medieval walled city which seems to take you back in time. By contrast to Addis the town of Axum is remote and located somewhere at the end of the world, while Bahirdar offers the traveler lush tranquility.

Among the most inspiring and charming of places is Gonder Ethiopia with its art-deco Italian elegance. Whichever places tourists visit Gonder Ethiopia should be on their must see list of destinations.

Gondar is re-known for its 300 year old Disney like castles and absorbing architecture from the 1930’s. One can also be tempted to linger much longer than planned by the sights and scents of a vast array of colorful flowers.

Located in the NW of Ethiopia, Gondar lies between Lake Tana to the south and the Simien Mountain range to the north. Tourists come here traveling between Bahirdar and Simien or Axum. Those who do not intend to go further north, take a turn here east to Lalibela. Both the road going north and east from Gondar is astonishing.

This part of the Abyssinian plateau provides one of the greatest adventures in this region but is the most difficult to travel if we are talking about the main roads in the north of Ethiopia. The road to Axum was built by the Italians in 1930s when they occupied Ethiopia and is an extreme feat of engineering. The road twists and turns taking incredible bends for many more kilometers than the crow fly would suggest. It crosses the highest Ethiopian mountain range Simien, which makes it another must stop-over, for any tourist.

Trekking over the Simien Mountains is becoming more popular, calling more and more on those who try to find the last forgotten spots in the world. This is without doubt such a spot but only time and careful conservation will keep it that way.

No matter how you reach Gondar, its appeal will cause you to want to stay longer than you planned. For those who travel trying to search traces of history it offers up glimpses of a rich past set against a backdrop of awe-inspiring views.

Ethiopia’s Capital
Gondar was established where the long-distance trade routes crossed. Gold, salt, ivory and slaves were carried, sold and bought there. It is not known exactly when Gondar began life as a trading center.

It is however clear, that Gonder’s rise is closely tied to the movement of the empire’s political center that occurred in the 17th century. From this moment on, it started to play a role of a permanent capital of Ethiopia, the first since the times of Axumite Empire.

Before (and also after the so called “Gondarine Empire”), for most of the time the Emperor executed his power traveling together with his court and pitching a camp whenever needed for his purposes. Gonder functioned as a political center of the Empire until the mid-19th Century and then the town was abandoned and slowly deteriorated.

Italy began a war in Ethiopia and occupied the country from 1936. Emperor Selassie I, conscious that staying in Ethiopia would result in his execution, fled to Europe. Gondar was by then the long forgotten place, its ancient castles becoming ruins.

The town however with its healthy climate and its charm attracted Italians the most. The settlement of the Italians brought about a new beginning for Gondar. They declared it the capital of the province of Amhara and commenced the building of residences, government offices and hotels.

An artificial lake was also built to give the Governer a view from his residency which is currently a beautiful hotel. The town was created in an art-deco style, where Italian restaurants and coffee houses were found in abundance and that is true to the present day.

About the Author
Hanna Rubinkowska (PhD) has traveled extensively throughout Ethiopia. A lecturer at Warsaw University, Department of African Languages and Cultures she specializes in the history of Ethiopia.

Visit ethiopiantour.com for more information on ethiopia travel or you can follow the continuation about the castles and ruins at gonder ethiopia where on an ethiopia website we also have other travel reviews and facts about Ethiopia.

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The Italian Style Legacy that is Gonder

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