Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
they first heard the disembodied voices, thought telephones the work of demons) and an-
other of Menelik with Bede Bentley in Addis Ababa's first motor car (1907).
NOTABLE BUILDING
Africa Hall
( 0115-517700; Menelik II Ave; ( 8am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Fri)
Built in 1961 by
Emperor Haile Selassie, Africa Hall, near Meskal Sq, is the seat of the UN's ECA. The
Italian-designed building isn't very interesting, apart from the friezelike motifs that rep-
resent traditional Ethiopian
shamma
(shawl) borders.
Far more interesting is
Africa: Past, Present and Future,
a monumental stained-glass
window inside by the artist Afewerk Tekle. Measuring 150 sq m, it fills one entire wall
and is one of the biggest stained-glass windows in the world. During some hours of the
day, the white marble floor of the foyer is flooded with colour. It's well worth a visit, but
this is only possible by prior appointment (call the number above). You'll need to bring
your passport and they generally prefer it if you visit as part of a group.
Bete Maryam Mausoleum
(Itegue Menen Rd; admission Birr30; 9am-6pm)
Also known as Menelik's Mauso-
leum, the Bete Maryam Mausoleum is located just south of Menelik's palace and offers an
enchantingly eerie experience for travellers. After the priest has rolled up the carpet and
pried open the large metal door in the floor, you will descend into the thick air of the
creepy crypt. There you will find the four elaborate marble tombs of Empress Taitu, Em-
peror Menelik, Empress Zewditu and Princess Tsehai Haile Selassie.
At least that's how a visit should go. The reality is that thanks to the Prime Minister's
residence being next door the whole complex is guarded by an inordinate number of very
surly and unhelpful soldiers, who, if our last visit was anything to go by, try to make visit-
ing the church as problematic as they possibly can.
On Wednesdays and Fridays it closes for prayers between 12.30pm and around 2pm.
CHURCH
Asni Gallery
( 0911-206697; 10am-7pm Tue-Sat, closed Jul & Aug)
Housed in the 1912
villa of Lij Iyasu's minister of justice, the Asni Gallery annually hosts six or seven splen-
did contemporary-art exhibitions of emerging and established Ethiopian artists. Other
events include workshops and lectures; look for announcements in the
Addis Tribune
or
What's Up!
GALLERY
