Gondar

When you visit Gondar, bedtime fairytales that began with, Once upon a time in a faraway land, stories that included love, war and murders will come to mind. These stories are part of Gondars historical past and are the stories you will hear when you visit Gondar, also known as the Camelot of Africa.

Gondar is a city in Northern Ethiopia. It is located in the Simien Gondar Zone, is north of Lake Tana and southwest of the spectacular Simien Mountains.

The capital of Ethiopia during the 17th and 18th centuries, Gondar is most famous for the Fasil Ghebbi also known as the Royal Enclosure. A stone wall encloses the site, and consists of castles build by Emporer Fasiladas, the founder of Gondar, and his successors. While the guide leads you through the enclosure, you will hear the stories of the different emperors and empresses who ruled during the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Fasil Ghebbi and other similar structures found outside the enclosure were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Outside the Royal Enclosure, you will also visit Fasiladas Bath and Debre Birhan Selassie Church, one of Ethiopias most beautiful churches. Other castles of interest are the Guzara castle built around 1572 by Emperor Dengal and Qusquam castle built by Empress Mentaweb in 1730.

Start planning your tour to the Camelot of Africa right now!

Best features of Gondar

Picturesque ruins and fairytale castles
Rich history
Beautiful mosaics
Culture
Gateway to the Simien National Park
Easily accessible by flight and road