Fasil Ghebbi

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the fortress-city of Fasil Ghebbi was the residence of the Ethiopian emperor Fasilides and his successors. Surrounded by a 900-m-long wall, the city contains palaces, churches, monasteries and unique public and private buildings marked by Hindu and Arab influences, subsequently transformed by the Baroque style brought to Gondar by the Jesuit missionaries.Fasil Ghebbi covers an area of about 70,000 square metres (750,000 sq ft). To its south lies Adababay, the marketplace of Gondar, where imperial proclamations were made, troops presented, and criminals executed; it is currently a city park.[9] Dawit's Hall is in the northern part of the enclosure, adjacent to the building attributed to Bakaffa and the church of Asasame Qeddus Mikael. Often referred to as the "House of Song", Stuart Munro-Hay notes that this may be due to a misreading of the Amharic zofan bet ("House of the Divan" or "House of the Throne") as zafan bet ("House of Song")

Ethio Wonder Tours

it is assumed that this structure was built around the same time as the Royal Enclosure, it is unknown who commissioned the Fasilides Baths. It is generally attributed to either Emperor Fasilides or his son Iysau I. The compounds walls have been slowly engulfed by the thick slithering roots of ancient badian trees that are now intertwined with the crumbling brickwork. The compound consists of the bath, a central tower and bridge that's used when the bath is full. Once a year, on the 19th January, the bath is filled as part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian celebration Epiphany, also known as Timkat. The festival is meant to replicate Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan. Gondar during Timkat is one of the most magical cultural experiences in Ethiopia. Pilgrims from across the country arrive to partake, and witnessing the festivities play out amongst ancient structures is a testament to the importance of historical sites like this for Ethiopians, their traditions and values.