Axum Holidays
Situated in the less visited far north of the Historic circuit, this facinating town is Ethiopia's most ancient capital and the holiest city of the Ethiopian Orthedox Church. The remains of the Queen of Sheba's palace are believed to be situated just outside of town. The Ark of the Covenant is said to be housed in a small church compound in town, watched over and attended by a priest who has dedicated the rest of his life to tending it. He is a recluse: he receives no human visits and he speaks to no one. He tends the ark that only two westerners have ever said to have seen. However, it is believed that they were shown other relics and made to believe that it was the ark as both recounted a different artefact. Just a few yards from this church you will find a field of Stone stellae, some standing erect but one lies fallen and broken. It is the largest stella which is said to have fallen as erecting was attempted. It now lies where it fell, the catacombs below shattered.
However if you are not yet intrigued by Axum, the 1000-year-old manuscript from which the weekly Sunday sermons are still read will delight you. Wrapped in what can only be described as someone's bedding, this remarkable prayer book is written in the ancient language of Geez and adorned by beautiful drawings. I can reccomend both the museums in Axum as they are are either wonderfully informative (the museum in the stellae field) or hold the most elaborate costumes (the museum near the Cathedral of Tsion Maryam).
Places to visit in Axum are the Stelae field, the Mis Shum, the Cathedral of Tsion Maryam and King Ezana's Park and King Basen's Tomb.
Just outside of town you will find the ruins of palaces and burial grounds, the reservoir said to have ben the baths of the Queen of Sheba, multilingual stone tablet dating from the time of Christ, watched by a lovely old man who has no teeth but a great gummy smile. If you have more time to explore you may like to visit the Tombs of Kaleb and Gebre Meskel, the Dongar and the Gudit Stelae field ( also known as the Queen of Sheba's Palace), the Pantaleon Monastery and the little visited roch church Dereka Abba Meta.
In Axum you can stay in the Yeha hotel which is adequate but yoou may find that on occasion you don't have hot watere or electricity. It is howver the best there currently is and it is clean and the staff are friendly. Alternatively you can stay at the Remhai hotel which has just been refurbished and boasts a lively bar. It is in the centre of town so you can walk to places form it, unlike the Yeha which is perched apon a hill offering lovely views.