Sidama Lodge and Art Gallery

       Accommodation with a touch of luxury in Addis Ababa

The Sidama Lodge
Cape Verde Street
PO Box 20526
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
ph: 251 11 6187946
fax: 251 11 61 87960

Services

                

 

Interested in Touring Ethiopia ?

Ethiopia, a land of surprises with its own unique calendar, it will celebrate the second Millennium on 11 September 2007. Take a trip through the ages: from the world famous rock hewn churches in Lalabilla built in the third century to the historical town of Axum, with obelisks dating from over 2000 years ago, to the Islamic walled town of Harar with its unique character firing the imagination of writers for hundreds of years, Ethiopia offers a unique opportunity to take a journey through history and experience the warm welcome that characterizes the people in one of the oldest countries on earth.

  

  


Alternatively visit the south and Oromiya and experience some the untouched wilderness of a land waiting to be discovered, with the beautiful Bale mountains, or take a canoe on the Omo river and see the lakes of the great rift valley. 

Picture above: Rural Sidama. [M. Ischer]

     

    Labilela:
    King Lalibela is credited with the foundation of the 11 rock-hewn churches in the 12th century. One of the world's most incredible man-made creations, they are a lasting monument to man's faith in God. Most travel writers describe these churches as the "eighth wonder of the world".
    These remarkable edifices were carved out of a solid rock, in a region where the ragged landscape still protects the churches from mass tourism. The 11 man-made churches are found in and around the town of Lalibela. Other churches are reached by a 45-minutes drive by 4x4 vehicle, or a three hour ride on mule-back.
    The venue for some of the most famous church festivals in Ethiopia, a visit during the great celebrations of Genna (X-mas) and Timket (Epiphany) is particularly rewarding.
     

     

    Axum: Axum, Ethiopia's most ancient city, and capital of one of the most glorious empires of the past, is one of the most illustrious links in the Historic Route
    The Axumite Empire flourished 3000 years ago. Its riches can still be pictured on the magnificent stelae or obelisks, the graves of Kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskel, and the Legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba. The churches and monasteries of Axum are richly endowed with icons, and some of the historical crowns of ancient Emperors.


    Harar: The city of Harar is an ancient (1520) and holy city. Harar was an important trading center. The city is famous for its ancient buildings, its great city walls and as a center of Islamic learning (the city has 99 mosques). It is believed to be the fourth holiest city for Islam after Mecca, Medina & Jerusalem.

    The city is well known for its superb handicrafts that include woven textiles, basket ware, silverware and handsomely bound books. Harar has been a place of pilgrimage from all over the world for many years.

    Complete your tour with a vist to Sidama,
    the home of the famous sidamo coffee and visit the Logitta Falls above [pic M. Ischer].
     
     
     

    Copyright The Sidama Lodge, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All rights reserved.

     

    The Sidama Lodge
    Cape Verde Street
    PO Box 20526
    Addis Ababa
    Ethiopia
    ph: 251 11 6187946
    fax: 251 11 61 87960