What mysterious treasure is hidden in the cathedral in Axum?
Why were stelae over 30 metres high built over 2000 years ago?
And who, during the night, secretly helped to build the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela?
Ethiopia carries an impressive history. In the first centuries after the birth of Christ it held a vast empire centred in Axum, which stretched from eastern Sudan over northern Ethiopia to what is now Yemen. Apart from Persia, Rome and China, the Axumite Empire was one of the four great empires of its time. Trade, culture and crafts flourished. It was the height of prosperity, and the time when Orthodox Christianity first came to Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church was established, with its own liturgy, rituals and a substantial collection of music. Some 1,000 years later the eleven famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela were built, representing some of the greatest monuments of this culture.
Particularly impressive is how the ways of life and religious traditions have been preserved over time and remain unchanged still today. As before, the historic buildings serve as places for meditation and prayer for their disciples.
Come witness this authentic and unique culture in the fascinating, historic setting of a bygone era! Experience the impressive ceremonies of the rock-hewn churches in the north, explore the ancient monastic buildings in the idyllic islands of Lake Tana, wander through the chambers of the Emperor of Gondar, and climb by rope the most important monastery of the country.
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