| About Gondar City |
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The city of Gondar is 50 kilometres north of Lake Tana, 748 kilometres north of Addis
Ababa and nestles in the foothills of the Simien mountains at 2,200 metres above sea level.
Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia from the rise of Fasiledes to the fall of Tewodros
(1855-68) which is reflected in the many castles and palaces in the city. The city's main
imperial precinct, known as the Royal Enclosure, covers an area of 7.7 hectares and
contains five castles, raised walkways and connecting tunnels surrounded by high stone
walls. The oldest of these is the Castle of Fasiledes. Built of stone in the mid-17th century it
reflects a number of influences, Axumite, Portuguese and Indian. The upper storey offers
panoramic views and Lake Tana is visible on a clear day. The castle has been renovated
recently. Fasiledes grandson, Eyasu the great, built his own castle and decorated it with
ivory, gold and precious stones but an earthquake in the early 19th caused severe damage.
Ababa and nestles in the foothills of the Simien mountains at 2,200 metres above sea level.
Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia from the rise of Fasiledes to the fall of Tewodros
(1855-68) which is reflected in the many castles and palaces in the city. The city's main
imperial precinct, known as the Royal Enclosure, covers an area of 7.7 hectares and
contains five castles, raised walkways and connecting tunnels surrounded by high stone
walls. The oldest of these is the Castle of Fasiledes. Built of stone in the mid-17th century it
reflects a number of influences, Axumite, Portuguese and Indian. The upper storey offers
panoramic views and Lake Tana is visible on a clear day. The castle has been renovated
recently. Fasiledes grandson, Eyasu the great, built his own castle and decorated it with
ivory, gold and precious stones but an earthquake in the early 19th caused severe damage.