ENTOTO MARYAM CHURCH

The location of the former Entoto capital was intended by Menelik after his departure from Ankober and before he finally chose to settle a little lower down on the Finfiné plateau on the present-day site of Addis Ababa. The site offers a masterly panorama of the capital and the surrounding Zuquala, Ere and Wuchacha mountains. People come to Entoto to get some fresh air and relax in the greenery (Entoto is considered the "lung of Addis Ababa", thanks to its eucalyptus forest). The best viewpoint is between Entoto's two churches, at the end of a narrow path. St. Mary's Church is the temple where Menelik was crowned in 1889. It is decorated with beautiful murals and bright colors, set amidst a forest of eucalyptus trees. Nearby, an interesting museum displays costumes from the imperial era, but it's best to enter with a guide as there are no explanations in English. To reach the Entoto site, simply continue straight on towards Entoto Hill from Sidist Kilo Square in the center of Addis Ababa, from where you can take a minibus. However, most visitors hire a cab, as the price is ridiculously low for us Europeans, and it's much more convenient than the bus! Don't hesitate to combine this visit with one to the Shiromeda market, also in the northern suburbs of nearby Addis Ababa, renowned for its hand-woven dresses, traditional scarves and bedspreads.