Discover Gondar

This royal fortress complex with several castles built by various emperors is often called an "African Camelot" and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The blend of Ethiopian, Portuguese and Indian architecture is unique in Africa.

The ceiling of this church is adorned with over 80 painted angel faces and is considered one of the finest examples of Ethiopian Orthodox church painting — the church was one of the few spared destruction by Sudanese invaders in the 19th century.

This tree-shrouded pool is filled with water once a year for the Timkat festival in January and serves as the setting for a symbolic mass baptism, in which thousands of the faithful jump into the water.

Gondar is the most important starting point for trekking tours into the nearby Simien Mountains with their dramatic gorges and endemic geladas.

Ethiopian Airlines flies several times daily from Addis Ababa to Gondar, with a flight time of about one hour. Gondar also serves as a popular starting point for tours to Simien National Park.

Amharic is the dominant language in the region. Some English is usually understood in hotels and on guided tours.

October to May during the dry season is best. In mid-January, the colorful Timkat festival takes place, one of Ethiopia's largest religious celebrations.

Gondar was the capital of the Ethiopian Empire from the 17th to the 19th century and is often called an African Camelot for its impressive castle complexes.