The northern Ethiopia ancient city of Axum(Aksum), regarded as center of the most powerful state in the history of ancient African Civilization. It is also considered as a cradle of Ethiopian History and Christianity, it is the country's oldest existing urban settlement. From around 200 BC to 700 AD, even Axum(Aksum) was the seat of an empire that extended across the Red Sea to Arabia, traded with India and China, had its own alphabet, constructed great engineering works and which, in the 4th century, was one of the four great powers of the world, Furthermore, Axum (Aksum) was the only African state to mint its own currency in ancient times. After its conversion to Christianity, early in the fourth century, Axum(Aksum) also emerged as an important religious center, site of the country's most important and holy Church of St Mary of Zion.
Aksum's glorious civilization is best symbolized today by its many monolithic obelisks. The largest, though fallen and broken, is more than 33 meters in height and about 500 tons in weight. Its four sides are richly decorated, and each represents a facade of a twelve story buildings. The colossal granite obelisks of Axum (Aksum) provide striking opportunities for thought and speculation. It is still debatable for certain how, when or why they were erected and what mechanisms were deployed in carving and transporting them. Tradition states that the immense powers of elephants were used in moving the stones
Aksum accepted Christianity as early as the 4th century AD, and almost immediately built the church of St. Mary of Tsion, the first in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Axumite King Ezana and Frumentius, who later became Ethiopia’s first Bishop played the decisive role in the rapid Christianize of the country. The monastic complex of Saint Mary Zion, and the chapel placed the original Ark of the Covenant, has renowned Axum (Aksum) as the holiest Orthodox Christian city of Ethiopia.
Aksum is also very much known for its colorful religious ceremonies. The commemorative day of St. Mary of Zion is among the notable. It occurs every year on the 21st of Hidar (28th of November), the finding of the true cross or Meskal on September 27 and Epiphany on January 18- 20. These celebrations are always accompanied with cultural rituals, dances and festivals. Dreamland Ethiopia Tours gives you an imminent chance to understand historic values of Ethiopia in the ancient world civilizations.
