Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ary Democratic Front (EPRDF) came from Adwa, including long-time Prime Minister
Meles Zenawi.
Today you might wonder if Adwa has in fact just been involved in a new war: a road-
widening project has left row after row of half-razed houses and shops. And with little to
see, and its proximity to Aksum, Adwa is very missable.
Sights
On the Aksum side of town is a
monument
to the victims of and victors over the Derg (
Click here
)
. A museum has been constructed behind it but never opened, and some locals
doubt that it ever will.
Up in the mountains about 5km due east of Adwa is the
monastery of Abba Garima
(admission Birr120, men only)
. Said to have been founded by one of the Nine Saints in
the 6th century, it's known for its collection of religious artefacts, including what may be
Ethiopia's two oldest manuscripts, perhaps dating to sometime between 330AD and
650AD. They're kept in a proper museum in glass cases along with a few old crosses,
crowns, robes, etc. The main church has modern paintings, mostly behind plastic sheeting,
but the geometric ceiling paintings are an unusual sight. Head 6km south of Adwa before
turning east for the final 2.5km.
Sleeping
Good places to stay are the
Setit Humera Hotel
( 0914-301627; d Birr350-575, tw/f
Birr600/1000; )
in the town centre not far from the bus station and the frumpy but
clean
Semayata Hotel
(
0347-712153; d Birr60-120, tw Birr180)
on the Askum side
of town.
Getting There & Away
Numerous minibuses connect Adwa to Aksum (Birr12, 30 minutes). There are 10 buses or
minibuses to Adigrat (Birr34, three hours), six for Yeha (Birr13, 50 minutes) and five to
Abi Adi (Birr25, two hours).
