Gondar sits in the mountainous, northwest region of Ethiopia. It was the nation’s capital before Addis Ababa when the city of Gondar grew to its height between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. The emperors during this period had so much wealth and power that they entertained and met with European leaders from countries like France and Portugal. Portuguese architects brought Indian builders (as India was partially colonized by Portugal at the time) to erect palaces for the emperors of Ethiopia. Portuguese and Indian influences can be seen on the palaces of the Royal Enclosure.

(description of photos coming soon)

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Ethiopia was the first country to adopt Christianity in the fourth century AD. Today over half of the county practices that same Orthodox Christian religion in cathedrals designed and constructed by Ethiopians. While other regions of Ethiopia house ancient churches and cathedrals, the earliest existing churches in Addis Ababa date back to the 1880′s during the campaigns of Emperor Menelik II. More info coming soon!

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I traveled to Ethiopia this summer and photo-documented the journey. The images will be presented in a multi-part, two-week long series exhibiting architecture from different parts of the country. There will be some famous monuments and cathedrals- and some interesting finds- covering the vast history of Ethiopia dating back at least to 1100 bce! *Those archeologists have only started digging, so who knows how much further this civilization will go back!

Comment with any great sources you find or any suggestions you have for further investigation! Enjoy, and let Abitchu be your guide to the architecture of Ethiopia!

-note: Abitchu is the slobbering baby above