The Kingdom of the Queen of Sheba & The Legendary Ark of the Covenant
Welcome to Axum, the capital of one of the greatest ancient empires the world has ever known. From the 1st to the 7th centuries AD, the Kingdom of Axum ruled the Red Sea, traded with Rome and India, and minted its own gold coins. Today, you will walk among the towering stelae (obelisks) of the Northern Stelae Park, some over 1,700 years old and 33 meters tall. You will visit the legendary Church of St. Mary of Zion, where Ethiopian tradition believes the original Ark of the Covenant rests (guarded by a single monk who never leaves the chapel). You will explore the underground tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskel, and stand in the Bath of the Queen of Sheba. At Monpays Tours, we bring you to the place where Ethiopian civilization began. Celebrate 20 years by standing where ancient kings once stood.
The Northern Stelae Park – A field of towering obelisks, including the Great Stele (fallen) and the restored Stele of Axum
The Church of St. Mary of Zion – The 17th-century cathedral and the "Chapel of the Tablet" (where the Ark rests)
The Tombs of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel – Underground rock-hewn tombs with inscriptions
The Palace of the Queen of Sheba (Dungur) – Ruins of a 7th-century palace (legend connects it to Sheba)
The Bath of the Queen of Sheba – A large reservoir still used for Timkat celebrations
The Axum Museum – Excellent collection of gold coins, royal crowns, and stelae fragments
The Inscription of King Ezana – Ancient stone tablets with trilingual inscriptions
Let our travel experts craft the perfect itinerary for your Ethiopian adventure.
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