Ethiopian giant inland water body, Lake Tana, is glooming. The African largest river, Blue Nile emerging from this lake and sweeping along, the lined tall palm trees and jacarandas along the main streets and the papyrus reed boats having been sailing since the Egyptian pyramid age on the lake are that ever adorn this Ethiopian highland town. That is why it has become a major destination and gate off for both domestic and international tourists.
BAHIRDAR
Bahir Dar is also a convenient jump off for the Ethiopian famous 'Historic Route' passing through Gonder, Lalibela and Axum. Consequently, Bahir Dar has been launching economically, socially and politically. And now it is the capital of the Amhara National
Regional State.
The town's v Year of foundation: in 1930.
v Distance - from Addis Ababa -Via Debre Marcos, 565
kilometres. -Via Mota, 485 kilometres.
- from Gonder, 180 kilometres and
- from Axum, 540 Kilometres
v Altitude: 1790 metres above sea level
v Average Temperature: 18.30c which is the most
favourable weather condition throughout the year.
v Language: It is Amharic that is the official language
of the Country, comprehensively spoken though
Bezawit Hill Top and the Emperors' Palace
Five kilometres east of the town, the split-level Bezawit palace of the former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Sillassie perches alone upon a hilltop with elegant views over the Nile River and Lake Tana. This most s p e c t a c u l a r s c e n e r y , Bezawit palace was used only twice by the Emperor when he would stay an overnight on his periodic tour These endemic fish species constitute 14 large barbs, one small barb and two gara species. These noteworthy Lake Tana large barbs species are varied because of the morphologically distinct forms they exhibit. Some of these large barbs reach a body length of 85cm and a weight of 12kg. Of the commercial catch in the southern shore of Lake Tana, the large barbs comprise 35%.
Island and Peninsular Monasteries
It is the 37 islands that make Lake Tana the most breathtaking site.These islands shelter some 21 monasteries surviving remnants of a very old meditative tradition. Most of the monasteries with some exceptions which dated back even to the 14th century AD were established in the medieval period by the monks locally referred as The Seven Stars. The dedicated monastic spiritual life of the monks Despite the fact that every island monastery deserves a visit, the most commonly visiting ones, taking Bahir Dar as springboard are the following.
Kibran Gabriel (about 9 kilometres)
Kibran Gabriel founded in the 14th century and rebuilt during the reign of Emperor Iyasu /1682-1706/ is the closest monastery to Bahir Dar. The museum of this monastery, which was built during the construction of the Gonderine palaces displays collections of
priceless treasures. Because of religious reasons, this monastery is not indulged for ladies to enter.
Zegie Peninsula (about 12 kilometres)
Wura Kidane Mihiret
The peninsular monastery of Zegie, Wura Kidane Mihiret permitting Tanawomen to enter is the other plebeian adduction of Lake Tana. The church's design is similar to that of kibran Gebriel
Kibran Gabriel Island Monastery, Lake Tana /14th Century/
Wura Kidane Mihiret peninsula Monastery, Lake. As noted by many visitors, Wura has a more decorated building with colourful frescoes depicting scene from biblical lore and the history of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church. The frescoes dating back to the early 17th century are incredible to have been painted by human being. Besides, in the enclosure like the other monasteries, there is a museum having priceless treasures such as illuminated manuscripts of more than 1040 years old, crowns, dresses of Empresses and so on. In this peninsula, along with Wura Kidanemihiret monastery, Mehal Zegie Giyorgis, Abune Betre Mariam and Azwa Mariam monasteries are also worthy of visiting. The grass roofed and elegantly built monastery, Azwa Mariam is renowned for its remarkable frescoes as Wura. Where as Mehal zegie Giyorgis and Abune Betre Mariam
monastries jointly possess a splendid museum having collections of crowns, crosses, vestments, illuminating manuscripts and others. As Ura, these monasteries let ladies enter.
Daga Estifanos (about 40 kilometre)
Daga is the other principal magnetism and most visited monastery though it is far from Bahir Dar. As that of Kibran, it is closed to women. This monastery is erected on a steepy hilltop and needs to climb up walking through a winding path. The treasure house found here is different from other monasteries in that it hosts piles of brightly coloured ceremonial cloaks and mummified coffins containing remains of the former Ethiopian Emperors; that is, Emperor Dawit /Late 14thc/, Emperor Zere Yakob (15th c), Emperor Suseniyos (early 17th c) and Emperor Fasiledes(17th c).
Tana Kirkos (about 50 kilometre)
Projecting on the eastern shore of LakeTana and on a remarkably beautiful s e t t i n g, Tana kirkos monastery had been used as one of the four places of ancient Judaic worship where sacrificial stones are still found. It is in this monastery that the Ark of the Covenant had been kept for 800 years before it was taken to Axum (the ancient Ethiopian capital) in the 4th century AD.
Daga Estifanos Island Monastery, 13th Century
Judiac Sacrificial stone - Tana Kirkos Monastery
The founder of the Ethiopian church music, St. Yared has written his first book of song called Degua at this monastery. The museum of the monastery has collections of several valuable and unique treasures, which inspire visitors. It is closed to ladies.
Narga Silassie (about 37 kilometres)
Located on the shore of Deq islands, particularly at a small woody semi-island, Narga Silassie monastery is quite different from other Tana monasteries architecturally; that is, it is similar to the palaces of Gonder. Narga Silassie was unusually built by Empress Mintiwab (1730-1755) with domes and turrets of the three gates. It is open for ladies.
Narga Silassie Island Monastery
18th Century
A painting in one of the parchment
manuscripts of Narga Silassie 18th Century
The Blue Nile Falls
Blue Nile, the Grand River in Africa is one of the natural wonders ofEthiopia especially for its breathtaking falls. The Blue Nile Falls near
The Thunderous Blue Nile Falls ( tis Isat )
Tis Abay town, 35 Kilometres South East of Bahir Dar has been drawing the attention of tourists from different corners of the world. That is why thousands of visitors are seen streaming to this most spectacular scene.
The Blue Nile Falls locally known as ''Tis Isat'' or ''Smoke of Fire'' that the water stretched on 400 metres wide surface and plunging dramatically 45 metres deep creates drizzly plethora that in turn produces brilliant rainbows across the gorges of the river. The misty deluges drive the onlookers up to a kilometres away. The curtains of the spray enthrall any visitor and will not ever vanish from memory. Specially, a morning visit rewards tourists with the astounding rainbows. Environ of these falls is endowed with marvelous landscapes, natural forests and multicoloured birds. On the way to Tis Abay Falls, Andasa Mineral Water is found in a small island formed by the Blue Nile River. Furthermore, to the West of Tis Abay Town, some 7 kilometres off the road in the extended escarpment of Yagume ridge, surrounded by stunning natural scenery, there is an impressive rock hewn church called Dengay Debelo which is said to have been hewed by St. Lalibela before his coronation. To reach the falls, there are two alternative ways. One is the route through 1.5kilometres road Eastern out skirt of the town to the parking lot, which lies on the edge of the Blue Nile gorge. Then after walking for about 20 minutes crossing the 17thc footbridge locally called Alata Bridge that had a historical value built by Portuguese, a
38
crescent shaped gorge appears with a thunderous noise; that is, the Blue Nile Falls. The other alternative is the route through the North East of the main road where the local people cross the river with papyrus reed boats. For the guests, motorboats are hired to cross the waters. After plying across the waters, a 30-40 minutes walking along the bank of the river is required to reach the bottom of the falls. But using the former route gives chance to visit the historic footbridge, the spectacular sceneries, and also it provides a chance to watch birds in the forest and in the gorge. Or else both ways can be used, one to go to falls and the other to turn back from the falls. 
Alata Bridge
Wanzaye - The curative hot spring
How nature is generous, wonderful, merciful, mysterious and beautiful is witnessed at Wanzaye, a highland spa and hot spring. The en route attraction located 49kilometres from Bahir Dar East of the main road to Gonder before reaching Wereta town, having dressed in greenish vegetations, Sheltering numerous and beautiful birds in its compound, Wanzaye is really a place most breathtaking. Having got situated encircled with superintendent standing hills and the big river Gumara, Wanzaye becomes still brilliant and extra ordinary. The holy hot spring of wanzaye is av
ailable in the form of shower in different rooms having different temperature /38oc, 40oc and 42oc /. Many domestic tourists especially desperate patients flock to Wanzaye and in turn Wanzaye's holy hot spring dries the tears of such patients. Here lies the mercy of nature. Washing and drinking with the holy hot spring treat certain diseases like scabies, skin infections, intestinal parasites, rheumatism and others.
Wanzaye, Hot Spring Hotel
Visitors moreover, enjoy much watching the colourful birds and the leaping apes, and observing the riverside evergreen natural vegetations and the beautiful garden. A guest does not need to worry where to stay, Wanzaye Hot Spring Hotel is handy and welcomes any tourist. There are bar and restaurant services that can meet the needs of the tourist. The bedrooms (10 twin and ten double) the camping sites are ready to accommodate their guests. The beautiful compound and the satellite TV are also entertaining the tourist.
GONDER
The glorious, historical and graceful city, Gonder that has been called the 'African Camelot', is known for its astonishing castles of the medieval emperors. This land of monuments founded during the reign of Emperor Fasiledes /Fasil/ in the 17th century was the principal city of Ethiopia for about 250 years. Lying at an altitude of 2300 metre, skirted by two mountains, Gonder has spectacular views over the beautiful landscapes of the fertile agricultural land and the gleaming waters of Lake Tana, 60 kilometers to the southwest. The renowned castles of Gonder have got the status of world heritage site. It is because of these monuments that Gonder has become one of the destinations of the famous 'Historic Route'. Great many tourists of the world flock regularly to Gonder to praise and enjoy these old age Ethiopian heritage and religious ceremonies.
The town's v Year of foundation : 1632EC
v Distance from - Addis Ababa, 750 kilometre
- Bahir Dar, 180 kilometre
- Axum, 360kilometre
v Average Temperature: 19.70c
v Visiting season: Through out the year, even
though January is the best time to enjoy the
colourful celebrations of Epiphany.
v Language: Amharic, the official language of
Ethiopia
Medieval Castles of Gonder
The Royal Enclosure
Stretched in the area of 76,000m2 in the heart of the town and containing six castles plugging in complex tunnels and raised walkways, the Royal Enclosure is the authentic beauty of Gonder. The oldest and the most impressive one is the Castle of Emperor Fasil standing two storeys high that was constructed around 1640. It is made of roughly hewn basalt stones and has a crenellated p
arapet
and four domed towers.
Epiphany Ceremony at Emperor Fasil Bath, 17th Century
Emperor Fasil Bath
Emperor Fasil, due to his keen interest in architecture, along with the seven churches and a number of bridges, has built a three storey stone pavilion positioned next to a large sunken bathing place-even today it is filled with water from the near by Keha river during the ''Timket'' or Epiphany ceremony. It is about 2 kilometre from the centre of the town along the G o n d e r-Bahir 
Dar
road. Epiphany ceremony at this
Emperor Fasil's Palace and Museum (right to left/ in the Royal
Compound, a World Heritage Site /17th Century/
Empress Mintwab Banquet Hall, 18th Century
Mikael Sehule Palace
Situated outside the Royal Enclosure, Mikael Sehule's palace is also an important site worthy of visiting.
Debre Birhan Silassie
The original church, which was not destroyed by the Mahadist war bath, which great many tourists u
sed to attend enthusiastically, is the most colourful celebration.
Debre Birhan Silassie Church, 17th Centur y
Kuskuam Complex
Perched on the hills, northwest of the town about 3_ Kilometre, there s a royal compound known as Kuskuam. It was built in the second half of the 18th century by Empress Mintiwab. The enclosure, though not well preserved as the royal one has a series of buildings including a three-storey castle and ruined palaces. when the Dervish of Sudan attacked Gonder in the end of the 19th century, is Debre Birhan Silassie-'Trinity at the mount of light.' This is one of the most beautiful churches in Ethiopia. Debre Birhan is renowned for its magnificent ceiling, amusingly decorated with a marvelous painting of the winged heads of the 80 Ethiopian Cherubic Faces- all have slightly different expressions. Drawn by the same artist, Haile Meskel, the walls are also adorned with frescoes that manifest briefly the Ethiopian Saints, martyrs and biblical lore. East of this church, there is a traditional church school with magnificent collection of small Gojjos/huts.It deserves a visit too.
Wolleka-Felasha Village
The former 'Bete Israels' or the Ethiopian Jews' or Felashas' village situated about 3 kilometres north of the town is the other popular visiting place especially for the magnificent souvenirs, pottery and the Jews temple, which has no laity now a day. For not accepting Christianity, the 'Bete Israels' were confiscated their land. C o n s e q u e n t l y, their economy get shifted to pottery, blacksmithing and wavering. Despite the mass evacuation of the Felashas to Israel in 1991, the craft of making pots has been adopted by the residents of that village (non-Felashas).
Candle Stick Made of Clay, Welleka
There are machine products of pots besides the intricate hand made red and black pots that are not to be missed by any visitor.
Angereb Bridge
Located about 5 kilometres Southeast of the town, having built on the Angereb River in the early 17th century by Emperor Fasil with the still existing four arches, Angerb Foot Bridge is an impressive relic of the period.
Angereb Bridge, 17th Century
Kossoye Hill
Kossoye ensconced on the lofty hill, north of Gonder town about 30 kilometres along the road to Axum is a wonderful magnetic site. The tower of Kossoye offers views to any direction to the maximum, even to a section of the North Western border of the country. Because of its astounding scenery, Queen Elizabeth of England and the former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Silassie once camped here. Topographically, it is similar to the Simen Mountains National Park.
Gorgora Port
Situated at 64 kilometres from Gonder and about 95 kilometres from Bahir Dar, on the northern shore of Lake Tana, Gorgora is a town of affinity; that is, the most rewarding site especially for birdwatchers. This is one of the many medieval towns of Ethiopia that served as a
temporary capital. The most inspiring visiting site is the near by ancient round Church Debre Sina Maryam, built in 1334, which is remarkably adorned with the very old frescoes. It is also possible to visit ruins of Susneyos palace, the island churches and monasteries such as Birgida Mariam and Man Inde Aba Medihane Alem and the likes.
Gorgora can be reached either by minibus from Gonder or from Bahir Dar by speedy ferries. To 
stay at Gorgora, there is Gorgora Hotel, which is run by the maritime Authority.
The Simien Mountains National Park /SMNP/
The marvelous landscape of all Abyssinian lands, the SMNP is one of the Ethiopian World Heritage Sites. What make this park unique are its scenic beauty and rich b i o d I v e r s i t y. Its altitude ranges 1900 metres to 4620 metres (Ras Dejen) the highest peak in Ethiopia and the fourth African summit. The scenic splendors of the Rocky Mountains and the ragged chain of e
scarpments, the massifs, the deep gorges are some of the
Trekking in the Simien Mountains National Park
where every arrangement is made. For instance, arranging visiting programmes, assigning guides, scouts, mules and muleteers are done here by the park office.
Debarq is a small town 101 kilometres north of Gonder and is reached by the regular running buses from Gonder or by the tour operators' vehicles. There are about two hotels that can deserve tourists well, Simien Park Hotel and Simien Hotel.
Walia Ibex Gelada Baboon Red Fox (Simien Fox)
breathtaking views of the park. Owing to the extended elevation, varied fauna and flora are sheltered among which many are endemic species. Walia Ibex-even endemic to the park, Gelada Baboon, Simien Fox and Minilik Bush Duck are endemic mammals. Golden Backed Wood some of the endemic bird species to be worth mentioned.
World Wonder Rock hewn Churches of Lalibela
The perplexing Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela and its vicinity inspire their guests. Great many tourists stream to Lalibela town to applaud the rock-hewn churches of King Lalibela dated back about 800years. What unique antiques that have been carved and still erected for that many centuries! The impossible has become possible; the incredible has become credible here on the rock-hewn churches. How could man hew these unusually complicated and each architecturally unique church masterly with pristine tools without the advent of modern engineering techniques to Ethiopia! The construction of these churches is said to have been done by King Lalibela himself and it is said that he had finished the work in 24 years of time. After paying a call on these churches, many visitors worry a lot to talk and to write on what they have visited. As a case in point to Alvarez, the first European to visit Lalibela in 1520 wrote, ''I swear by God, in his power I am, that all that is written is the trust and there is much
more than I have already written, and I have left it that they may
not tax me with its being falsehood,'' such a worry occurs because these types of churches are not found elsewhere in the world. For their amazing intricacy, even Ethiopians get overwhelmed at a great extent as the foreigners though there are more than 400 rock hewn churches built before and after Lalibela specially in the northern part
of the country. In the carving of the 11 rock hewn churches, as the Deeds of St. Lalibela and the taught of the church advocate, some supper natural force have helped him. Otherwise, who would manage the bulk of burdens to make the dream come true? There was no slave labor as the Egyptians pyramid construction. There were no such skilled crafts men. So, who did help him all that constructing activity? If we assume that foreigners might helped him, why did not they whittled for their own country and why rulers of other nations did not employ
these skilled crafts men for their country to have such wonderful monuments? Series of questions can be raised but their answers are not as such easy. In the churches, every thing has biblical implications. What is found here in Lalibela symbolically is found there in the holy city, Jerusalem. To visit the Lalibela Rock Hewn churches, they are grouped in to three basing the river called Jordan. The first group north of Jordan River comprises six churches; Bete Medihane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil, Bete Debre Sina and Bete Golgota. This group of churches symbolizes the Earthly Jerusalem.
Bete Medihane Alem (The House of the Redeemer of the World)
is the largest church of all the Lalibela churches amazingly having 72 giant pillars. It is a freely standing monolithic church resting alone in its courtyard. Inside this church, among other interesting things to see, three striking empty graves symbolically dug for the three biblical
A Priest holding ''Afro Ayigeba'' cross, at Bete
Medihane Alem Church.
patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are visited. Moreover, there is ''Afro Ayigeba'' the renowned cross for its healing power that is shown on Sundays and on some holidays. Recently, this cross has been stolen and sold out to foreigners and brought back to its original place by a tremendous combined effort of a great many people Ethiopians and foreigners alike.
In the churches, every thing has biblical implications. What is found
here in Lalibela symbolically is found there in the holy city,
Jerusalem. Crossing the short tunnel south of Bete Medihane Alem comes Bete Mariam courtyard, which also comprises Bete Meskel and Bete Denagil.
Bete Mariam (The House of Mary)
is the other freely erecting one storey monolithic church, which was built first. It is the most beloved church by the pilgrims. Even King Lalibela favoured this church in which he used to attend the daily masses. The most colourful holiday celebrations like Christmas and Epiphany are carried out here even today. Here the visitors experience an atmosphere of serenity. In this courtyard, there is a pool, which is believed that washing in it can cure woman sterility.
Christmas -at Bete Mariam
What make Bete Mariam still more contemplative are its frescoes bearing biblical lore.
In the northern and Southern corners of this courtyard, Bete Meskel and Bete Denagil are posted which are not as large as the other Churches. South west of the courtyard, after crossing the trench appear the most inscrutable complex of twin churches, Bete Debre Sina and Bete Golgotha in which the Silassie (the Trinity) Chapel, the symbol of Tomb of Adam and even the grave of King Lalibela are sheltered. Sheltered under the same roof with Bete Golgotha, Bete Debre Sina (The House of Mount Sinai) is the immediate chapel from the entrance. Saint Lalibela built this church to symbolize Mount Siena where Moses received the Ark of the Covenant. Bete Golgota (The House of Golgotha) church is interchangeably called Bete Mikael. This is the most complex chapel where Golgotha, Bethlehem, and Keranio are built symbolically. From the tomb of
Bete Abba Libanos
Saint Lalibela inside this church, holysoil-'Imnet' is taken by which people get treated from certain 
diseases because of their adherent belief. On the wall of the church,
there are relief sculptures of 7 apostles. Moreover, a decorated cross and a wooden praying stick of Saint Lalibela are shown. The second group of churches symbolizing the heavenly Jerusalem, located East of Jordan River comprises east to West Bete Amanuel, Bete Merkorios, Bete Abba Libanos and Bete Gebriel-Rufael.
Bete Amanuel (The House of Emanuel) is architecturally most outstanding and freely erecting monolithic church. Even art historians appreciate more its architecture. It has an upper storey and most striking blind windows. The church is linked with the neighbouring one, Bete Merkorios with a 
dark, long subterranean tunnel.
Bete Merkorios (The House of Merkorios) is dedicated to Saint Merkorios. The church has wooden bound parchment manuscripts, brass and gold crosses, and cotton fabric paintings that particularly portray the crucification of Christ.
Bete Abba Libanos (The House of Libannos), a church dedicated to the Ethiopian Saint Abba Libanos, constitutes the southern boarder of the second group of churches. The roof of this church is attached to the living rock.
A remarkable cross-shaped Church, Bete Giyorgis
Bete Gebrael - Rufael (The House of Gabrael and Rufael) is architecturally complex and twin church like Bete Debre Sina and Bete Golgotha. It can be entered from two directions. The two chapels are sharing the same roof and entrance. In the immediate chapel, Bete Gebrael, an impressive and a very big parchment manuscript having 332 pages and different crosses are displayed. It is this chapel usually open for visitors. What makes this church complex is that it has underground rooms. Constituting the third group and setting lonely, Bete Giyorgis is architecturally an elegant, sophisticated and most striking church. This freely standing monolithic church symbolizes Noah's ark. Owing to these sorts, Bete Giyorgis is getting the standard of national 
symbol.
The church is entered through a tunnel that again leads to a trench. In the courtyard, there is a holy water where it flows from is not easily demarcated. In the grave holes around the detached walls in the courtyard, there are mummies that are easily seen by visitors. In side the church along with big parchment manuscripts and crosses, there is a large wooden box, which was unusually locked by wooden nuts in which saint Lalibela used to put the pristine carving tools. The presence of this box here signifies that Bete Giyorgis is the lastly built church.
To visit all these rock-hewn churches meaningfully, a couple of days are required.
Other Rockhewn and Cave Churches around Lalibela
In the vicinity of Lalibela, there are several rock-hewn and cave churches, which can be reached either by walking or riding mules. Following two are examples.
Asheten Mariam,
alighting on the glamorous mountain, 4000m above sea level, is indeed the most captivating site, which offers a commanding view of Lalibela Town and its environs. King NeAkuto Le Ab, the 
nephew and successor of king Lalibela, built this church. The church is partially detached from the living rock. sensul at Asheten Mariam Church
This church has alluring leather paintings particularly depicting the crucification of Christ, elegantly decorated parchment manuscripts and crosses. This church is reached either by two hours gentle walking or by riding mule. Stationed on the hill foot, Ne Akuto Le Ab is a marvelous cave church. The cave in which the church is positioned, by its nature is breathtaking. From the roof of this church, a curative holy water drips constantly throughout the year. This holy water is said to have a healing power to many ailments.
At the treasure house of Ne Akuto Le Ab, priests show visitors strange metallic drums, crowns and crosses. The church is reached after driving 7 Kilometre on the road to the Airport and walking for 15 minutes to the east. The other elegant cave and rock hewn churches around Lalibela are
Yimrihane Kirstos (cave church), Arbaitu Insisa, Bilbila Giyorgis,
Bilbila Kirkos, Genete Maryam, Emkina Lideta Maryam, Emkina
Medihane Alem and Kenkenit Mikael.
The other sight seeing for the tourist in Lalibela town is the open-air market that is visited on Saturdays. In this marvelous open-air marketthe most attractive traditional dresses and sashes are not to bemissed souvenirs to be purchased. Besides, observing the bargainingsystem of the peasants is really enjoyable.
( Meqdela amba )
The trek from Debrtabor (gafat) to Maqdela is a wonderful challenge for the adventurous trekker it takes you to our final (Gafat) campsite, top of Maqdala Amba, which is over 3000 meters, The trek begins Gafat is a place which is located about 4.4 kilometers to the northeast of the town of the Debretabor . The name Gafat was probably taked from the gafat people. At present Gafat is better known for its nineteenth century canon foundry Established by Emperor Tewdros, The gafat people are assumed to have been mainly craftsmen and craftswomen. Initially the gafat canon production
(Emperor Tewodros)
site was started with eightEuropean artisans assisted by Ethiopian craftsmen. He asked the artisans whether they could produce him cannons; he was desperate for the weapons for the protection of his country from the Egyptians who had controlled the Sudan and Massawa.
(Sevastopol Cannon)
Emperor Tewodros persuaded or ordered the artisans to produce him the desired weapons at new site near the stream where he established a canon foundry, It is obvious that Tewodros was successful in producing a few of the anticipated canons among which the Sevastopol was the largest.
Tewodros’s Journey to meqdela and the transporting of the cannons made at gafat in 1867/8 started from kulualikue or Janhoy mieda in debretabor from delanta he followed traditional route passing through the villages of shofa (kahinate seamy) senbelett, yewetet(yatila), yedereq,and Robbit(Aroge). It was at kessie in Aroge where the actual battle took place and where Fitawrari Gebriye fell while fighting bravely.
Finally Tewodros was observing the approaching enemy from selamgie silassie, an extension of the Meqdela Mountain putting the Sevastopol cannon at the lower escarpment pointing towards the advancing enemy. When emperor Tewodros’s realized the death of his brave general Gebriye “he lamented saying”
“ Gebriye Gebriye Eniem Emettalehu Tinish Qoyet biye”
His words marked the culmination of tewodros’s mega dream about the transformation of Ethiopia. He finally went to the Meqdela Mountain where he bravery committed suicide in the hall near the main palace immediately above the qoqit entrana, The Sevastopol cannon is still there just below the trinity church of selamgie, west of meqidela, where Tewodros Left it. The Cannon burst at the initial trial because the artisan who made is did not cast it properly. There was also one of the small cannons put at the saddle between selamgie and meqdela near the site where Ethiopian prisoners were kept. The small canon had rolled down the cliff and it had rested halfway down where it still lays.
Our trek begins Debrtabor to meqdela enable travelers to experience and enjoy the truly varied topography and landscape. At Meqdela besides its beautiful Scenery (one) can visit the Sebastopol cannon, Emperor Tewodros graveyard, the ruin of Tewodros’s Meqdela palace with its big storage houses, The ruin of the ancient medhaneAlem church, The Aroge Battle Field is the best enjoying place.
It is accessibly by small
foot
(Emperor TewodrosII graveyard place)
track corridors. How ever, the peak of the Mekdela Amba is not accessible by car. To safeguard the history and natural beauty of the site it is advisable for visitors to walk or use pack animal to reach the site.
The Meqdela site has the following in its compound:
The site where Emperior Tewodros commited Suicide Magnificent scenery site Emperor Tewodros palace and store The foundation of the 1868 Burnt Medhanelaem church The Burial place of Emperor Tewodros The historical and old Mekdela mariam Church (about980 years old) Sebastopol Canyon and others
| the city of Bahirdar |
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| Gonder Fasil Castel world heritage site (UNESCO) |
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| Lalibela world heritage site (UNESCO) |
Seimen mountain National Park (UNESCO)
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Messages From The Head Of The Bureau 
