This complex of buildings includes Fasilides castle, Iyasu's Palace, Dawit's Hall, a banqueting hall, stables, Mentewab's Castle, a chancellery, library and three churches: Asasame Qeddus Mikael, Elfin Giyorgis and Gemjabet Mariyam.
Ethiopia III Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
"Return to Ethiopia" Trip
September 22 - October 7, 2012
50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps in Ethiopia
October 2 - Tuesday
Fasilo Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure) - Gondar
The main feature of Gondar is Fasil Ghebbi or the Royal Enclosure. It is a fortress-enclosure with high stone walls.. It served as the home of Ethiopia's emperors in the 17th and 18th centuries.This complex of buildings includes Fasilides castle, Iyasu's Palace, Dawit's Hall, a banqueting hall, stables, Mentewab's Castle, a chancellery, library and three churches: Asasame Qeddus Mikael, Elfin Giyorgis and Gemjabet Mariyam.
Prior to the construction of Fasil Ghebbi , the Ethiopian Emperors travelled around their domain, living in tents and eating off the produce of their peasants. However, Emperor Fasilides broke with that tradition and founded the city of Gondar as his capital. Because of this, the city is historically important. Within the capital, he built the Fasil Gemb or Fasilides Castle. Subsequent Emperors built their own structures around the castle and many still survive today.Within the enclosure, Emperor Fasiladas built a palace. The palace has been completely restored and is the oldest and most impressive of the castles in the Royal Enclosure. It stands 32 meters tall and has a parapet and four domed towers. The stone castle is reputed to be the work of an Indian architect, and shows an unusual blend of Indian, Portuguese, Moorish and Axumite designs. Some still refer to Fasiladas' Palace as the "Portuguese Castle" giving the false impression that the Portuguese ruled here.
The main floor of Fasiladas' Palace was used as a dining hall and formal reception area. The Star of David can be seen above several doorways, which affirms Emperor Fasiladas' link to the Solomonic dynasty. The small room in the northern corner has its original beam ceiling with some faint frescoes on the walls.
The first floor prayer room has windows in four directions, each overlooking Gonder's important churches. From the roof, the Emperor addressed his people during religious ceremonies. It is also possible to see all the way to Lake Tana the watchtower.
There are two Lion Houses in the Royal Enclosure where Abyssinian lions were kept until 1992. The first enclosure was built in the early eighteenth century and the second was built by Haile Selassie during his reign.
(Important note: All photographs, except where mentioned, are copyrighted as of October 8, 2012, by Darrel and Betty Hagberg. Please request permission to use and please credit them).
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Betty McLaughlin Hagberg, Web Master
Updated on 9 November 2012
