Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
After being erected on the eve of Haile Selassie's coronation in 1930, it was looted by
Italians in 1935 and placed in Rome next to the massive Vittorio Emanuelle Monument. In
1938, during anniversary celebrations of the proclamation of the Italian Empire, Zerai
Deress, a young Eritrean, spotted the statue and defiantly interrupted proceedings to kneel
and pray before it. After police verbally and physically attempted to stop his prayers, he
rose and attacked the armed Italians with his sword while screaming 'the Lion of Judah is
avenged!' He seriously injured several officers (some reports say he killed five) before he
was shot. Although he died seven years later in an Italian prison, his legend lives on in
Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The Lion of Judah Monument was eventually returned to Addis Ababa in the 1960s.
Institute of Ethiopian Studies
( 0111-239740; Addis Ababa University, Algeria St)
This institute boasts the world's
best collection of topics in English on Ethiopia. It's free for a half-day's casual use. At the
time of research they were in the slow process of building a new home for the collection.
LIBRARY
National Archives & Library of Ethiopia
(
www.nala.gov.et
;
closed morning Mon)
Shelves groan under the weight of 20,000
books on Ethiopia. The English-language section is quite good. It is located off Sudan St.
LIBRARY
Activities
Thanks to hosting the UN's ECA, activities are more catered to business people than
backpackers. Though, after returning from a tough slog out on the Ethiopian roads, many
travellers indulge in a heavenly massage, steam bath or sauna. Cooling swims are also jus-
tifiably popular.
Massage, Steam Bath & Sauna
Boston Day Spa
( 0116-636557; Bole Rd; 8.30am-8.30pm)
The Boston Day Spa has a great reputa-
tion. Massages start at Birr184. A session in the sauna, steam bath and jacuzzi is Birr210
and includes a free foot massage. It also provides a waxing service and has a hairdresser.
SPA
Sheraton Hotel
MASSAGE
