Addis Ababa- Tourists Attractions

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia in East Africa. Around 3 million people live in Addis Ababa. Addis (as it's commonly referred to) was founded by Emperor Menelik 11 in 1887.

Addis is the third highest capital in the world at 2440m. It's a sprawling city that takes some getting used to. Mud huts, Italian facist architecture, glitzy hotels, cathedrals and marxist billboards provide the backdrop to Africa's fourth largest city. Nightclubs and restaurants serving international cuisine rub shoulders with bars serving traditional honey wine (Tej). Despite its mix of wealth and poverty, tradition and modernity, Addis is a safe city with little violent crime but lots of petty theft.

Although Addis Ababa is not one of the ancient cities that attract people because of their rich historical heritage, there are many things that make it special. For instance, Menelik II established it on the foothills of the Entoto Mountains in 1887, making it the third highest capital city in the world, at 2,400 meters above sea level. Menelik had earlier established the capital in six different locations before settling for Addis Ababa. The city has played a number of important roles in the country and the African continent at large.

The best way to find your way around Addis Ababa is by relying on landmarks, as many of the streets do not have names. Even the few that have names may be known locally by different names from what you may find in maps. It is the main highway that is clearly known as Churchill Avenue. Examples of the landmarks you may use include the Post Office (locally known as posto bet), the station (or la gare) and Abiot (or Meskal). There are also popular shopping destinations that you can use, such as Mercato and Piazza.

There are several popular attractions in the city, some of which are mentioned below.

Africa Hall

This great building is an important mark of African independence, whose stained glass windows are a representation of the suffering that the locals faced during colonial times.

Close to the Africa Hall is a large square that serves as a natural amphitheater. It is where the 1974 revolution is commemorated by holding parades every September. Towards the west of the hall are the Filwoha springs, whose beauty encouraged Queen Taytu to ask her husband to choose this site for his capital. There is a bathing complex where the thermal waters have been diverted.

The Lion of Judah Monument

This is an imposing monument found in the square situated close to the train station. A black granite pedestal supports the golden colored statue that was constructed in 1930 prior to the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie. Italian occupiers looted the monument in 1935 and took it to Rome. There is an interesting story about how the monument was later discovered by an Eritrean called Zerai Deres who was part of a marching parade in honor of Adolf Hitler who visited Rome. Negotiations were carried out for a long time before the monument was returned to Ethiopia. That was just one of the moves it has experienced over the years.

Entoto

These are the mountain ranges where Menelik originally established the capital. You can explore the Church of Entonto Mariam, which is where the king was crowned. The Church of Entonto Raguel is situated at the top of the hill, from where you will have panoramic views of the surroundings.

Menelik II Square

Emperor Haile Selassie constructed the statue of Emperor Menelik II at the square and dedicated it one day before he received his coronation in 1930. It is from the base of the statue that distances are marked from the city.

There are many other attractions in Addis Ababa, some of which are the Menelik Mausoleum, St George's Cathedral, the National Museum, Haile Selassie's Grand Palace, Abune Petros Memorial and Meyazia 27 Square.