Where is Ron?

Gondar was founded by the emperor Fasilidas in 1636 and was the capital of the country for the next two centuries. The city contains a dozen castles built by the various emperors over the course of 236 years. Besides the castles, baths and houses of Fasilidas, another famous sight is the church of Debre Berham Selassič (Light of the Trinity), which is located on the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls. The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos dating back to the 16th century. For more on the history of Gondar, see the FEST Ethiopia page on Gondar.

Rock on the way to Gondar.

Japanese bicyclist arriving in Gondar. He was going from Cairo to Capetown, and had just arrived from Sudan. Ron says, "He's a real bicyclist, not a want-to-be like me!"

Royal enclosure: Iysau's palace.

Royal enclosure: Mentewab's castle.

Royal enclosure: Fasiladas' palace.

Royal enclosure from Goha Hotel at sunset.

Debre Berhan Selassie Church.

Inside Debre Berhan Selassie Church.

Wall painting inside Debre Berhan Selassie Church.

Wall painting inside Debre Berhan Selassie Church.

Drums inside Debre Berhan Selassie Church.

According to the Lonely Planet book, Fasiladas' Bath is attributed to both Fasiladas and Iyasu I. "A large, rectangular sunken pool is overlooked by a small but charming two-storeyed tower, surrounded by a stone wall. Although the complex is popularly known as a bathing palace, most probably it was constructed for important religious celebrations, the likes of which still go on today. Once a year, Fasiladas' Bath is filled with water for the important Timkat ceremony. After being blessed by a priest, the pool becomes a riot of spraying water, shouts and laughter as the crowd jumps in. The ceremony replicates Christ's baptism in the Jordan river, and is seen as an important renewal of faith."

Sign for Fasiladas' Bath.

Side view of Fasiladas' Bath.

Back view of Fasiladas' Bath.

Front of Fasiladas' Bath.

Near Gondar.

Sunset at Gondar.