where are the historical lake tana and the axum castle located?

Answer 1

Lake Tana is emerging as one of the world’s most important inland water bodies, so it is proper
that this Lake Tana Symposium attracts international attention. LakeNet became attracted to
Lake Tana starting in 1999, when it emerged as one of the global top 250 lake regions most
important for biological diversity. Its importance to north-eastern Africa is that the lake is
largest in Ethiopia, with a surface area of 3,1507 km2 and a watershed of 16,500 km2. It forms
the headwaters of the Blue Nile, which carries more than 80% of the total volume of the Nile
River at Khartoum, Sudan.
and about axum castleAxum, which lies about 1,000 kilometers north of Addis Ababa, was the second capital city of Ethiopia. This prominent Christian attraction is simply an open-air exhibition of Ethiopia's pre- and post-Axumite civilization i.e. from the 3rd C. BC to the 10th C. AD. This ideal site has been visited frequently for the last two millennia.

The Axumite kingdom was founded on the northern tip of Ethiopia at a place called Aksum by the native Sabean people. The creation of this kingdom was an indication of a power shift from the capital at Yeha to the fertile lands of Aksum.

Due to its proximity to the Red Sea in the North-East and the Indian Ocean coastal trade routes to the South, trade prospered in the kingdom. Axum grew as a prominent commercial center in the first century AD. Trade with the Arabs, Indians, Turks, Greeks, Persians, Romans and others strengthened Ethiopia's connection with the rest of the world.

The Axumite empire came into existence thanks to its hard working people. It witnessed tremendous growth between the first and sixth centuries AD. With a perfect continuation of successful governance, Axum grew to the level of an empire. Language flourished so much that three languages came into existence as a communication medium. Greek was the language of the royal court, Sabean was used by the common people and Ge'ez, a later-developed language, with its roots in the Sabean scripts, became a church language.

Coin mintage, as a result of strong economic dominance, was another development at this time and helped the Axumites to develop trade. Gold, silver and bronze coins, which began to be minted around the 4th C., are still found exposed on the plains of Axum.

The introduction of Christianity in the early 4th C. AD was one of the greatest achievements of the Axumite rule. It was during the time of King Ezana in 337 AD that Christianity arrived in Axum. Since it was the king who was the first to convert, Christianity easily reached the people under his rule. Since then, Ethiopia has remained a strong Christian state. The coins of King Ezana and his successors depict a cross, clearly indicating that the kings were Christian. The coins of kings before King Ezana in the pre-Christian era depict motifs such as moons, indicating paganism.

Axum reached its peak in terms of economic, political and social development in the fifth and sixth centuries. By then Christian Axumite kings were increasing their influence by expanding their territory across the Red Sea. The whole horn of Africa, including Yemen, was incorporated under the Axumite empire. It was at this time that Axum became known as one of the four great empires of the age. Then in the 7th century Islam was brought to Axum by Muslim followers who came in exile to escape from severe executions in the Middle East.

Answer 2

After early breakfast transfer to Bole International Airport to fly to Bahir Dar (an hour flight), the capital of the Amhara National Regional State. Upon arrival transfer 7 kms to the lakeside hotel called Tana (3*star) or papyrus hotel, which is situated, in center of the city just nearby the Market place. After check in to your hotel there will be time for visiting the local market and short tour of the city. After lunch, boat trip on Ethiopia's largest Lake called Tana for its middle age island monasteries. Lake Tana is the source of the longest river in Africa, the Blue Nile. The lake is endowed with 37 islands out of which 20 of them have got monasteries to some of which female are not allowed to visit. Therefore, in this afternoon, you only visit the Zege peninsula for its famous 14th century monasteries of Ura Kidanemihret, Azewa Mariam and the island monastery of Kibran Gebriel (where only men are allowed) for their wonderful 16th century mural paintings, crowns, crosses and many old church treasures. On the way back to Bahir Dar you visit the mouth of Blue Nile River where it begins its long journey. Overnight hotel