This 10th-century Ethiopian royal city has preserved medieval castles, traditional textile workshops, and active local markets where artisans sell handwoven fabrics.
In northern Ethiopia, Gonder's stone castles rise from the Fasil Ghebbi complex, where Ethiopian emperors once ruled their kingdom. You can walk through medieval banquet halls, see hundreds of angel faces painted on the ceiling of Debre Berhan Selassie Church, and watch thousands of Orthodox Christians celebrate the Timkat festival at Fasilides' Bath each January. The city serves as a starting point for treks into the Simien Mountains, home to rare Gelada baboons and Walia ibex.
The Royal Enclosure of Fasil Ghebbi
The 70,000-square-meter Royal Enclosure contains six stone castles surrounded by a 900-meter wall with twelve gates. Emperor Fasilides built the first castle in the 1630s, which stands 32 meters tall with roughly hewn stone walls. You'll find multiple banquet halls, private chambers, stables, and a library within the complex. Visit daily from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with a one-hour lunch break at 12:30 PM.
Debre Berhan Selassie Church
Twelve stone towers representing the apostles guard this 17th-century church. The interior walls show detailed Ethiopian Orthodox Christian artwork, including biblical scenes and saints. Look up to see the ceiling's grid of painted angel faces, each with its own expression. Remember to remove your shoes and wear modest clothing when visiting.
Fasilides' Bath and Timkat Festival
A two-story bathhouse sits within a rectangular pool measuring 70 by 40 meters. The pool remains empty most of the year until January's Timkat festival, when Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany. During the celebration, thousands gather as priests bless the water before participants jump in to commemorate Jesus's baptism.
Getting to Gonder
Ethiopian Airlines runs four daily flights from Addis Ababa to Gonder, taking one hour. By road, take the Sky Bus departing daily at 5 AM from Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, arriving at Gonder's city center near the Royal Enclosure. The bus journey takes about ten hours through the Ethiopian highlands.
Simien Mountains Access
A three-hour drive takes you from Gonder to Simien Mountains National Park. The park includes Ethiopia's highest peaks and several species found nowhere else, such as the Gelada baboon and Walia ibex. Many travelers spend one or two days in Gonder before heading to the mountains.
Local Markets and Shopping
Visit Kidame Gebya market in the city center, where Saturday draws the largest crowds. Local vendors sell Ethiopian coffee beans, traditional coffee pots, textiles, and fresh produce. You can practice bargaining with local merchants while observing daily life in Gonder.
