Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Inside, there are some grand murals, the most notable being Afewerk Tekle's depiction
of the Holy Trinity, with Matthew (man), Mark (lion), Luke (cow) and John (dove) peer-
ing through the clouds. There are also some brilliant stained-glass windows and two beau-
tifully carved imperial thrones, each made of white ebony, ivory and marble.
The entrance fee also includes admission to a small but impressive
museum
of ecclesi-
astical artefacts.
To the south of the cathedral is the
memorial
and graves of the ministers killed by the
Derg for opposing them in 1974 (see the History chapter,
Click here
)
. Due to the prime
minister's compound being behind this memorial, photographs are strictly forbidden.
The
churchyard
also hosts the graves of many patriots who died fighting the Italian oc-
cupation, including the great Resistance fighter Ras Imru. To the west of the cathedral is
the tomb of the famous British suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst. Sylvia was one of the very
few people outside Ethiopia who protested Italy's occupation; she moved to Addis Ababa
in 1956.
Purchase tickets at the administration office 20m west of the main gate. Self-appointed
guides charge Birr10 to Birr15 per person.
St George Cathedral & Museum
(Fitawrari Gebeyehu St)
Commissioned by Emperor Menelik II to commemorate his stun-
ning 1896 defeat of the Italians in Adwa, and dedicated to St George (Ethiopia's patron
saint), whose icon was carried into the battle, this Piazza cathedral was completed in 1911
with the help of Greek, Armenian and Indian artists. Empress Zewditu (in 1916) and Em-
peror Haile Selassie (in 1930) were both crowned here.
Thanks to its traditional octagonal form and severe neoclassical style, the grey stone ex-
terior is easily outdone by the interior's flashes of colour and art. Sections of ceiling glow
sky-blue and boast gilded golden stars, while the outer walls of the Holy of Holies are
covered in paintings and mosaics by artists such as the renowned Afewerk Tekle.
In the grounds just north of the cathedral is the
museum
(admission Birr50; 9am-
noon & 2-5pm Tue-Sun).
It's well presented and contains probably the best collection of
ecclesiastical paraphernalia in the country outside St Mary of Zion in Aksum. Items in-
clude beautiful crowns, hand crosses, prayer sticks, holy scrolls, ceremonial umbrellas and
the coronation garb of Zewditu and Haile Selassie. Entry includes a
guided tour
of both
the museum and church. Try to get Archdeacon Mebratu to be your guide. He's very en-
tertaining - maybe the most amusing and informative church guide we've had anywhere
CHURCH
