Axum (also spelled Aksum) is one of the most important and ancient historical cities in Africa, located in the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. As the original capital of the great Axumite Kingdom, it was the center of a powerful trading empire that flourished from the 1st to the 8th centuries AD, rivaling the great empires of Rome, Persia, and China. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a treasure trove of archaeological wonders, most famous for its gigantic, monolithic stelae (obelisks), ancient royal tombs, and its profound significance as the cradle of Ethiopian Christianity. Legend holds that it is the final resting place of the biblical Ark of the Covenant, making it the holiest city for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Name and Address

• Name: Axum (Aksum).
• Address: Located in the Central Zone of the Tigray Region, northern Ethiopia.

How to Get There

Axum is a key destination on Ethiopia’s “Historic Route” and is well-connected to other major cities.

• By Air (Recommended): The easiest and most common way to reach Axum is by flying. Ethiopian Airlines operates daily flights from the capital, Addis Ababa, often with stops in other historic cities like Gondar or Lalibela. The Axum Airport (AXU) is located a few kilometers from the town center, with taxis and minibuses readily available.
• By Road: Traveling by road from Gondar or Mekele is possible, but it involves long and often arduous journeys over mountainous terrain. The drive from Gondar, for instance, can take a full day.
• Visitor Tip: The main historical sites within Axum are clustered together and can be explored on foot. For sites further afield, such as the Dungur Palace, hiring a local guide with a vehicle or a bajaj (auto-rickshaw) is recommended.

Landscape and Architecture

The landscape of Axum is a high-altitude plateau, and its architecture is defined by the monumental and unique style of the ancient Axumite Kingdom.

• The Northern Stelae Field: This is the most iconic landscape in Axum. It is a vast field containing hundreds of stelae, or obelisks, carved from single blocks of solid granite. These range from small, rough-hewn stones to colossal, intricately carved monuments.
• Axumite Architecture: The signature style of the Axumites involved building with alternating layers of stone and wood, with projecting wooden beams known as “monkey heads” for structural support and decoration. This style is replicated in the carvings on the great stelae, which depict multi-story buildings with false doors and windows.
• Key Architectural Sites:
  • The Great Stele: The largest stele ever erected, at 33 meters high, now lies broken on the ground where it fell, likely during its erection. It is a staggering testament to the ambition and engineering skill of the Axumites.
  • The Obelisk of Axum: This 24-meter-tall stele was famously looted by Mussolini’s forces in 1937 and taken to Rome. It was repatriated to Ethiopia in 2005 and re-erected in the Stelae Field, a major moment of national pride.
  • The Church of St. Mary of Zion (Maryam Tsion): The most sacred site in Axum. The complex consists of an old 17th-century church (men only), a modern cathedral built by Emperor Haile Selassie (open to all), and the small, heavily guarded Chapel of the Tablet, which is believed to house the Ark of the Covenant.
  • Tombs of Kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskel: These 6th-century tombs located on a hill overlooking the city are impressive examples of Axumite stonework, featuring massive, perfectly fitted granite blocks.
  • Dungur Palace (Queen of Sheba’s Palace): The extensive ruins of a massive mansion with over 50 rooms, which, according to legend, was the palace of the legendary Queen of Sheba.

What Makes It Famous

Axum is famous for being the heart of an ancient African empire and the holiest city in Ethiopia, shrouded in the profound mystery of the Ark of the Covenant.

• The Ark of the Covenant: Its primary claim to fame is the belief held by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church that the original Ark of the Covenant, containing the Ten Commandments, is housed in the Chapel of the Tablet. This makes Axum a site of immense religious pilgrimage and global fascination.
• The Giant Stelae: Axum is renowned for its giant monolithic obelisks, which are unique in the world and represent the pinnacle of Axumite engineering.
• Cradle of Ethiopian Christianity: The Axumite Kingdom was one of the first major empires in the world to officially adopt Christianity in the 4th century AD. The city remains the spiritual headquarters of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
• The Queen of Sheba: The city is deeply intertwined with the legend of the Queen of Sheba, who is believed to have ruled from Axum and whose son, Menelik I, is said to have brought the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem.

Differences from Other Wonders

Axum offers a unique blend of ancient history, monumental archaeology, and living faith that distinguishes it from Ethiopia’s other great wonders.

• A Pre-Christian Imperial Capital vs. a Medieval Christian Refuge: While Lalibela is a medieval Christian wonder, famous for its churches carved down into the rock, Axum is a much older site representing a pre-Christian and early Christian imperial capital. Its architecture is about building up, with monumental stelae reaching for the sky.
• Archaeological Grandeur vs. Natural Drama: Axum’s appeal is rooted in its archaeological and historical significance. This is a stark contrast to the Simien Mountains National Park, which is a purely natural wonder, famous for its dramatic landscapes and endemic wildlife.