Yohannes IV Castle in Ethiopia. Photo credit: Wikipedia
Yohannes IV Castle, Ethiopia
Situated on the hills of Mekele, northern Ethiopia, Yohannes IV Castle served as the home of Emperor Yohannes IV who ruled the region in the 1880s. The ancient fortress is likened to the great palace of the Biblical King Solomon. It is made up of churches, shops, housing quarters and other facilities.
The fortress was the main capital of Tigray and still serves as the main terminus of caravans coming to and from the salt mines of the Danakil Depression. Salt merchants from all over Ethiopia meet at Tigray market to buy and sell the commodity.
Although the brick and mortar structure, which was constructed by Italians, has undergone many restorations, it has retained its original designs and now serves as a museum with a wide range of artefacts and rifles, royal beds, dresses and the king’s throne.
