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European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) is the leading world and regional tourism organization representing a market of 800 millions costumers from all around Europe with members and delegations in 28 countries.
Addis Ababa is opening the gates of an ancient and mystical world, and was recently named WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISMby the ECTT-global tourism institution and today the megapolis is preparing to welcome an increased number of tourists transforming it in the main tourist capital of Africa.
In order to help tourists discover what the global tourism institutions calls a perfect city for tourism, discoveryand culture lovers we have gathered in a pocket guide the main highlights of this buoyant African capital, the political center of Africa Union, the host to UN Economic Agency for Africa and by now the European Council on Tourism and Trade registered WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM. ADDIS-ABABA: A CITY IMBUED WITH HISTORY.
Kidus Raguel church on Entoto: a testimony of the 550 years of political existence of Addis Ababa.
In 2019 and 2020 Addis Ababa is celebrating 550 years of historical continuity starting with a medieval presence in the Entoto Hillsabove Addis Ababa confirmed by the existence of the ruined rock-hewn churches of Washa Mikael and Kidus Raguel.
The hills also host the city’s oldest functioning church, Entoto Maryam, a traditionally painted octagon perched on the site where Emperor Menelik II was crowned in 1889.
Emperor Menelik II, the father of modern Addis Ababa, adorned the city with a host of religious monuments like: St George’s Cathedral later served as the coronation site of Empress Zewditu and Emperor Haile Selassie. Selassie (Trinity) Cathedral, with its intricate facade, is where the famed Emperor Haile Selassie has been laid for his final rest.
St George’s Cathedral build in honor of the Adowa victory (1896) over Italian imperialism, victory that market the survival of Ethiopia as an independent African nation.
Nearby Church of Beata Maryam, noted for its beautifully painted interior, hosts the subterranean mausoleum of Emperor Menelik II and Empress Zewditu.
Other examples of religious architecture include the beautiful early 20th century Anwar Grand Mosque, and the gracious Armenian and Greek Orthodox Churches on the Piazza.
ADDIS-ABABA: THE NEW JERUSALEM IN AFRICA
Holy Trinity Cathedral and Museum:
Built to commemorate Ethiopia’s emancipation from the Italian occupation, the cathedral is an important focal point for the Ethiopian Orthodox church.
As a place of worship, it is considered second only to the Church of Our Lady Zion in Axum (where the original Ark of the Covenant is believed to be held).
Entoto Mountain and Museum:
The site where Menelik II established his capital, Entoto mountain offers excellent views across the Addis Ababa and its surroundings, and a breath of fresh air after the hustle and bustle of the city.
Visit Menelik II’s palace, the church of St. Mary and the Entoto museum.
Saint Trinity( Haile Selassie Cathedral) interior view-Addis Ababa
St George’s Cathedral and Museum:
Following Menelik II’s victory over the Italians at Adwa, he ordered the construction of this cathedral in honor of St George, whose flag he had carried on the battlefield.
The cathedral was rebuilt in the early 1920s under Emperor Haile Selassie.
St George continues to be considered patron and savior of the nation.
The museum holds many exhibits related to the cultural traditions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Ethnographic Museum of Ethiopia housed in the ancient Emperors palace from Addis Ababa play host to a treasure trove of historical collections.
ADDIS-ABABA: THE MUSEUMS CAPITAL OF AFRICA
The National Museum of Ethiopia:
The oldest museum in Ethiopia, its most famous exhibit is “Lucy”, the 3.5 million-year-old skeleton whose discovery in 1974 demonstrated that bipedal hominids evolved much earlier than previously thought. The museum also holds many other palaeontological and archaeological artifacts, as well as ethnographic and modern art displays.
The Ethnographic Museum:
Housed in Emperor Haile Selassie’s former Palace, this museum is dedicated to preserving the traditional art, languages and cultures of Ethiopia’s many ethnic groups.
The Ethiopian National Postal Museum:
This quirky museum contains every design of Ethiopian stamp from 1894 to the present day, including many of the artist’s original drawings and proofs. The designs reveal a huge amount about the country’s past economic, political, social and cultural life.
Addis Ababa Museum:
Housed in one of the oldest buildings in the city, which was originally home to one of Menelik II’s warlords, this museum charts the history of Addis Ababa from its foundation in 1886, through to the present day.
The Zoological Natural History Museum:
Part of the Natural Sciences department of Addis Ababa University, this museum intends to serve as a reference collection of all animal species of Ethiopia.
And finally some Amharic vocabulary:
Selam: Hello
Ameseginalew: Thank you
Yirkirta: Excuse me or sorry
Konjo! Beautiful (a good word to use in reply to the many Ethiopians who will ask you how things are or how you are finding Ethiopia)
Addis Ababa is preparing for a string a celebrations during 2019 and 2020 marking 550 years as a political center and 130 years since in 1889 the Emperor Menelik II announced the city as the capital of his Ethiopian empire.
The global tourism institution ECTT Forum aims to provide a unique platform to discuss issues and solutions for developing and managing tourism in WORLD`S CAPITALS OF CULTURE AND TOURISM cities in a way that promotes cultural protection, heritage and dedicates efforts toward economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.
The First Academic and Mayors Forum for Culture and Tourism is unifying academicians, world leaders and local leaders in order to promote a better understanding and connections between tourism and local development.
European Council on Tourism and Trade has succeeded in building world-wide instruments dedicated towards developing city tourism and protecting culture and heritage and offering to millions of the chance to escape poverty and live a dignifying life.
In order to continue this impressive trends the European Tourism Academy is fostering a global debate on the livability and sustainability of cities and is giving the voice to the essential stakeholders of WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM cities– residents, visitors, local, regional and national authorities and private sector in order to work together to respond to the current and upcoming challenges.
According to the decision of the Executive Board of European Council on Tourism and Trade a new name was added to the list of WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM: the city of ADDIS ABABA, capital of The Federal Republic of Ethiopia, host of African Union and host of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Addis Ababa as the next WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
ADDIS-ABABA is a world-class urban tourism destination, with tourism sites ranging from full heritage sites, including traditional palaces, churches, mosques and famous markets (Merkato, Shiromeda etc), to state-of-the-art architecture and museums.
