URL: http://www.ucbp-ethiopia.com/e548/e550/index_eng.html

Axum

The town of Axum forms the centre of the Tigray region. Over 800 km north from Addis Ababa, the city is located in the Adwa Mountains 1000 meters above sea level. Axum spreads out for 1688 hectares and inhabits 63.000 residents of which 10.963 are family leaders.

Axum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most ancient, as well as one of the most holy, of Ethiopia's historic capitals. The city was once part of the great Aksumite kingdom as one of four world powers. The monarch was allegedly the famous Queen Saba. The ruins of her palace can be seen in Axum. The Queen has given birth to Solomon’s son: Menilik I, King of Ethiopia. The legend says that he brought the Arc of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Axum, which is now guarded in the “holy city of Ethiopia”.

Axum's historic treasures also include the catacombs, and Mai Shum - the bath of Queen Saba, and the Axumite steles. The biggest one, unfortunately broken, is more than 33 meters high and as heavy as 500 tons.

The residents of Axum are well exposed to foreigners who come in to visit the historical sites. Hence, they exhibit very friendly attitudes towards foreigners and welcome them to their town and homes.