Gondar is a relatively “new” city by Ethiopian standards the famous Emperor Fasilides founded the city of Gondar. You will be in awe of the 17th century gothic castles and churches that are still standing and functional. If visiting in the month of January, you will not want to Miss Timket, the celebration of the Epiphany, the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. This ritual reenacts the baptism in the ancient bathing pool at the castle. Many participants immerse themselves in the sanctified water, symbolically renewing their own baptismal vows. Then the massive crowd escorts the ark of covenant (tabot), a replica of Moses’ tablet bearing the Ten Commandments, back to the church in a colorful procession.

Graceful castles built in the 17th and 18th century by the successive Gonderine kings are found on the 70 hectare compound. In addition it contains many other structures among them a sauna (said to treat Iyasu the Great who was suffering skin disease) and a lion cage to symbolize the connection with the Lion of Judah. The Royal Enclosure or Fasil Ghebbi is a World Heritage Site.

Not known if it is founded for leisure or religious purposes by the royal family, nowadays it is the main site for the very colorful Timket celebrations in Gondar. It is a very peaceful place to walk around. On the site is a monument what is believed to be the grave of Zobel the brave horse of Fasilidas.

Besides the eleven or so castles and related buildings, the 17th century Debre Birhan Selassie Church is the only one that has survived the repeated destructions of Gondar at hands of the Dervish (Egypto-Sudanse), Tewodros, the Italians and the British. The church is a rich showcase of the religious art of the Gonderine period and its ceiling of painted angels is only one of its kind.