OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS FROM ADDIS ABABA
CITY TOUR – Full Day
The Menelik Mausoleum
Built in the old Baata church in 1911, The Menelik Mausoleum served as a tomb for emperors, princes and freedom martyrs. Built to house the tomb of Emperor Menelik II it also includes the graves of members of his family.
Africa Hall
An imposing symbol of African independence and optimism, Africa Hall is situated on Menelik II Avenue. It houses the headquarters of the UN Economic Commission for Africa. The huge stained glass windows depict the suffering of the people of Africa.
The Jubilee Palace
Built on Menelik II Avenue, this modern palace was completed to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie I.
Old Imperial Lion Zoo (Abyssinian Black Maned Lions)
Built in 1948 by Emperor Haile Selassie and situated beside the Martyres Monument, is the Old Imperial Lion zoo which is a popular local attraction, and currently has 16 adult lions and five cubs. These Rare Abyssinian lions, famous for their black manes, are the country's national symbol and adorn statues and the local currency.
The lions were associated with legitimate kingship and power. They remained an emblem of the solomonic dynasty which ruled the country till the time of King Haileselassie I, the last king in this dynasty.
CATHEDRALS – Full Day
St.George's Cathedral (Giorgis Cathedral)
St George's Cathedral lies at the north end of Churchill Road. Built in 1896 in the traditional octagonal shape to commemorate Ethiopia's victory over the Italians at the Battle of Adwa, the Cathedral houses the work of Maitre de Artist World Laureate Afework Tekle, the renowned Ethiopian artist responsible for the stained glass windows of the Africa Hall.
There is a small museum in the compound which houses a wide collection of important religious paintings, crosses of many designs, historic books and parchments, and beautiful handicrafts.
Trinity Cathedral
Visit the best cathedral in Addis where Emperor Haile Selassie I and his wife Empress Menen are buried.
MUSEUMS – Full Day
The Ethnological Museum
The Museum consists of five sections: Ethnological or Material Culture; Art Gallery; Ethno-Musicological; Philatelic, and Coins and Bank Notes collections.
National Archeological Museum
This museum houses numerous antiquarian relics and archaeological artifacts showing the history of Ethiopia from prehistoric times to the modern day. This museum’s greatest treasure is the partial skeleton of "Lucy”, (at the basement of the museum) a tiny human believed to have lived over three million years ago.
SHOPPING – Full Day
Merkato (The Grand Market)
First located by the Italians during World War II, The Mercato is one of the largest markets in Africa offering an array of colors, aromas, costumes, produce and jewelry. Thronging in the market are more than 50,000 people from different parts of the country doing their daily shopping’s of different shapes and size. People do exchange their materials in cash and in kind.
HISTORICAL MONUMENTS – Full Day
Abune Petros Memorial
Named after Abune Petros, the Ethiopian Orthodox Bishop of Wello who was executed by the Italians at the edge of this very square. Emperor Haile Selassie had the statue erected in the memory of this great Bishop upon his restoration to the throne. The spot of his execution on the western edge of this square is also marked by a memorial slab. Sadly, during the brutal rule of the Dergue regime, the bodies of many victims of the "Red Terror" were displayed in this square.
The Lion Of Judah Monument
A symbol of the ancient monarchy which has a very interesting history, The golden colored statue of the Lion of Judah stands in the square in front of Addis Ababa's train station. In it's complete glory The Monument stands on a black granite pedestal which is decorated with relief portraits of Emperors Menelik II and Haile Selassie I, and Empress Zewditu, as well as Ras Makonnen. It marks the foot of the city's widest avenue, Churchill Road which has the impressive Addis Ababa City Hall at it's other end.
Victory Monumet
Mentyazia 27 Square is the official name of what is popularly known as Arat Kilo, a name that applies both to the square and the surrounding district of the city of Addis Ababa. The monument at the heart of the Square (Victory Monument) commemorates the victory over the fascist Italian invaders, and the struggle that preceded it (Meyazia 27 on the Ethiopian Calendar, May 5th on the Gregorian Calendar, is both the day that Addis Ababa was occupied by the Fascists, as well as the day that Emperor Haile Selassie returned to his capital in triumph exactly 5 years later).
Martyres Monument
The Yekatit 12 Square (Sidist Kilo) monument stands in tribute to the thousands of innocent martyrs butchered by the Fascist Italian Occupiers in 1929 in the Ethiopian Calendar (1936 Gregorian Calendar). The massacre took place at the order of the Italian Vice-Roy Marshal Grazziani in response to an assassination attempt against him carried out by two pro-Ethiopia Eritreans.
The monument is in the form of a white obelisk with black bas reliefs of scenes of the massacre as well as scenes of the Imperial funeral accorded to the remains of the victims in the presence of the Emperor following the liberation around it. A Lion of Judah also decorates the face of the obelisk.
Menelik II Square
In Menelik II Square stands the imposing equestrian statue of Emperor Menelik II, the victor of Adawa and the founder of Addis Ababa. The statue was erected by Emperor Haile Selassie and dedicated on the day before his coronation in 1930, in memory of his great predecessor. The square is located outside the main gates of St. George Cathedral - close to City Hall. The distance markers on all the highways in Ethiopia mark the distance to their location from the base of the statue of Emperor Menelik II in this Square.