Djibouti - Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somaliland - page 449

17 Somaliland Bureau de Liaison D3

Transport

18 4WDs to Borama (Somaliland) C6

19 4WDs to Hargeisa (Somaliland) C6

20 Societé Bus Assajog (Buses to Dire Dawa) C6

Sights
The centre can be divided into two quarters: the European Quarter, laid out on a grid sys-
tem to the north, and the African Quarter, which spills out to the south.
Most of the following sights can be reached on foot.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

European Quarter
The focal point of the European Quarter is Place du 27 Juin 1977 (Place Ménélik). With
its whitewashed houses and Moorish arcades, this vast square is a strange mix of the Arab
and the European. It's lined with cafes, bars, restaurants and shops.
The European Quarter is connected to the Plateau du Serpent to the north by the Blvd
de la République, along which many of the principal administrative buildings can be
found. In this area you'll also find a smattering of enticing religious buildings, including
the eye-catching cathedral Offline map Google map (Blvd de la République) . In a street run-
ning parallel to Blvd de la République, Église Éthiopienne Orthodoxe Tewahido St
Gabriel du Soleil Offline map Google map (Orthodox Church; west of Blvd de la Répub-
lique) , which is popular with the Ethiopian community, is well worth a peek.

African Quarter
The vast Place Mahmoud Harbi (Place Rimbaud; Offline map ) , which was being renov-
ated at the time of writing, is dominated by the minaret of the great Hamoudi mosque
Offline map Google map , Djibouti City's most iconic building. Eastward, the chaotic Quart-
ier 1 is a criss-cross of alleyways where stalls and shops are lined cheek by jowl. Spread-
ing along Blvd de Bender are the stalls of Les Caisses market Offline map Google map .
Crammed with every type of souvenir from woodcarvings to clothing, it's a colourful
place for soaking up the atmosphere.

NEIGHBOURHOOD