- Location: Gondar, Ethiopia
- Phone: +251 91 102 1308
- Website: www.simenlandtours.com
Thanks to the fact that in 1979 UNESCO added the Fasil-Gabby fortress in Ethiopia to the list of World Cultural Heritage, this architectural monument gained wide recognition far beyond the borders of the country. The blending of cultures and styles, undoubtedly, deserves close attention to the visitors of the ancient building.
Thanks to the fact that in 1979 UNESCO added the Fasil-Gabby fortress in Ethiopia to the list of World Cultural Heritage, this architectural monument gained wide recognition far beyond the borders of the country. The blending of cultures and styles, undoubtedly, deserves close attention to the visitors of the ancient building.
History and style of the fortress
The famous fortress is located in the city of Gondar , in the Amhara region. The exact date of construction of the fortress is unknown, and therefore the starting point of its calendar was adopted in 1632, when the city was founded. Then for the residence of the royal family, this fortification was erected. In 1704, the fortress was heavily destroyed by an earthquake, and later - plundered by Sudanese robbers. During the occupation of the country by the Italians, the decoration of the royal residence was badly damaged.
What is interesting in the fortress of Fasil-Gebbie?
The ancient city-fortress is surrounded by a powerful wall with a total length of 900 m. Fasil-Gbbi is built using various styles. Indian and Arabic styles are mixed here, and later, thanks to Jesuit missionaries, some baroque notes were introduced.
The huge territory of the fortress has 70 thousand square meters. It houses the palace complexes of Fasalidas, Mentaweb, palaces of Buckaff and Iyasu. They have libraries and banquet halls, churches and ballrooms. To see all this with your own eyes means to touch the ancient Ethiopian history.
Until 2005, the old fortress was closed to visitors, after which the restoration was carried out. Now all the floors, except the top, are accessible for tourists.
How to visit Fasil-Gebbie?
You can get to Gondar in two ways. The simplest, but also the most expensive, is to make an air flight from the capital , which lasts 1 hour 10 minutes. If you use a car, then on routes Nos. 3 and 4 you can get here in 13-14 hours.