The modern city of Aksum is considered to be one of holiest city in Ethiopia
(Africa). In the 4th century Christianity was declared the national religion
here by the ruler, Enzana. One reason we know what we do about Aksum is the
importance placed on written documents by its rulers, particularly Ezana or
Aezianas.
He constructed much of the monumental architecture and converted much of the Axumite Kingdom's population to Christianity around 330 AD after his own conversion. Once the prosperous kingdom on the Trigray Plateau, it was close to the blue Nile basin and the Afar depression and accessible to the port of Adulis on the red sea coast, which allowed it to maintain trade relations with many nations including Egypt, India, Sudan and Arabia. At its peak, Aksum controlled territories as far as southern Egypt, east to the gulf of Eden, south to the Omo river and west to the Cruchite Kingdom of Meroe. The south Arabian kingdom of the himyarites was also under its power.
Aksum historical and archaeological sites, central Tigray (Tigray Region) Rightly famous for its obelisks, Axum was the capital of the Axumite kingdom once one of the four kingdoms of the world. It was also home to the Queen of Sheba whose ruined palace and bathing pool can still be found in and near the town.
The holy city of Aksum is located in the north-eastern part Ethiopia, on the horn of Africa. It lies high on the plateau, 2195m above the sea level. According to the Ethiopian orthodox church, Aksum is where the original Ark of Covenant, containing ten commandments is located. The Ark is supposed to be the seventeenth century church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, but only its guardian may look at it. The church's museum has a small but impressive collection of bibles, crosses and crowns. Just past the museum is Aksum's ancient stelae field. These are enormous carved pillars, made from single granite blocks, the highest of those still standing is a looming 24 m tall. Just outside of town you will find the ruins of King Kaleb's Tomb, the queen of Sheba's Palace and the Pentalewon Monastery. Women are not allowed inside the monastery, but the views from here are worth the somewhat arduous walk up the hill.
Aksum is the site of Ethiopia's most ancient city, today a small town, ignorant of its glorious past. The 16th century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion is built on the site of a much older church probably resembling that of Debre Damo, dating from the 4th century AD. Only a platform and the wide stone steps remain from the earlier structure. The Cathedral is the repository of the crowns of some of Ethiopia's former emperors. According to church legend, it also houses the original Ark of the Covenant - thus making St. Mary's the holiest sanctuary in Ethiopia.
