Gonder: “Africa’s Camelot”

I’m such a tourist. Wouldn’t you be too? Photo: I. Williams

During the final days of R&R in Ethiopia we stopped in Gonder to visit the Royal Enclosure, Fasiladas’ Bath, the Fellasha Village and the Debre Berhan Selassie church. It is amazing to spend the afternoon checking out 17th century castles and to sing with priests on the lawn before a historical church.

Fasil Ghebbi in the Royal Enclosure. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson

This was by far the most impressive of all the castles. It became a World Heritage site by Unesco in 1979 and is still undergoing some light restoration.

Make a U-turn at the umbrella in the road. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson

The Fellasha Village is a smaller attraction about 6km north of Gonder, but worth a visit. This was once the home to many Ethiopian Jews, but from 1985 to 1991 many were airlifted to Israel. We met who is said to be the last of the Fellasha’s in this area. She was an older dark woman with shaved hair. She came into our bus to speak with us and greeted us all, “Shalom, Shalom.” Her story: She had been off in the army at the time of most of the airlifts to Israel. During that time her mother passed away and when she came back she hadn’t any way to prove she had ties or Jewish blood. She has been overseas to Germany and London and doesn’t seem to mind having been left to live in Ethiopia all these years.

Debre Berhan Selassie church. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson

104 winged Ethiopian cherubs cover the ceiling of the Debre Berhan Selassie church, one of Ethiopia’s most famous churches. Each angel has a slightly different expression. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson


Fasiladas’ Bath under much renovation. Photos: Adrienne C. Wilson