Fasil Ghebbi
Encyclopedia
Fasil Ghebbi is a fortress-enclosure located in Gondar
, Ethiopia
. It served as the home of Ethiopia's emperors in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its unique architecture
shows diverse influences including Nubian, Arab
, and Baroque
styles. The site was inscribed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
in 1979.
This complex of buildings includes Fasilides castle, Iyasu's Palace, Dawit's Hall
, a banqueting hall
, stable
s, Mentewab's Castle, a chancellery
, library
and three churches: Asasame Qeddus Mikael, Elfin Giyorgis and Gemjabet Mariyam.
to travel around their possessions, living off the produce of the peasants and dwelling in tents. Reflecting this connection, this precinct was frequently referred to as a katama ("camp" or "fortified settlement"), or makkababya the same name applied to the imperial camp in the Royal Chronicle of Baeda Maryam
.
Emperor Fasilides
broke with this tradition of progressing through the territories, and founded the city of Gondar
as his capital; its relative permanence makes the city historically important. Within the capital, he commanded the construction of an imposing edifice, the Fasil Gemb or Fasilides castle. The area around the Fasil Gemb was delineated by a wall with numerous gates. Subsequent Emperors built their own structures, many of which survive either in whole or part today. Visiting the Fasil Ghebbi in the late 1950s, Thomas Pakenham observed that "dotted among the palaces are what remains of the pavilions and kiosks of the imperial city".
; Azaj Tequre Ber ("Gate of Azaj Tequre"), which once was connected by a bridge to Adababay Tekle Haymanot church; Adenager Ber ("Gate of the Spinners"), which was linked by a bridge to Qeddus Rafael church in the weaver's section of Gondar; Qwali Ber ("Gate of the Queen's Attendants"), next to the modern entrance to Elfin Giyorgis church inside the Enclosure; Imbilta Ber ("Gate of the Musicians"); Elfign Ber ("Gate of the Privy Chamber") which gave access to the private apartments of the Fasil Ghebbi; Balderas Ber (Gate of the Commander of the Cavalry"); Ras Ber ("Gate of the Ras") , also known as Qwarenyoch Ber ("Gate of the Qwara
people"); Ergeb Ber ("Gate of Pigeons"), also known as Kechin Ashawa Ber ("Gate of the Gifts"); Inqoye Ber ("Gate of Princess Inqoye", the mother of Empress Mentewab
; and Gimjabet Mariyam Ber ("Gate of the Treasury of Mary"), which leads to the churchyard of Gimjabet Mariyam church.
Gondar
Gondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. It served as the home of Ethiopia's emperors in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its unique architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
shows diverse influences including Nubian, Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
, and Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
styles. The site was inscribed as a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
in 1979.
This complex of buildings includes Fasilides castle, Iyasu's Palace, Dawit's Hall
Dawit's Hall
Dawit's Hall is one of the principal structures that stood in the Fasil Ghebbi, or the Royal Enclosure, which contains the Imperial palaces of Ethiopia in Gondar...
, a banqueting hall
Function hall
A function hall or banquet hall is a room or building for the purpose of hosting a party, banquet, reception, or other social event.Function halls are often found within pubs, clubs, hotels, or restaurants. Some are run by fraternal organizations and rented out as a fundraiser for the organization...
, stable
Stable
A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals...
s, Mentewab's Castle, a chancellery
Chancellery
Chancellery is the office of the chancellor, sometimes also referred to as the chancery. Both of those words have other meanings as well.Chancellery can specifically refer to:...
, library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
and three churches: Asasame Qeddus Mikael, Elfin Giyorgis and Gemjabet Mariyam.
History
The origins of the Fasil Ghebbi can be found in the old tradition of the Ethiopian EmperorsEmperor of Ethiopia
The Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
to travel around their possessions, living off the produce of the peasants and dwelling in tents. Reflecting this connection, this precinct was frequently referred to as a katama ("camp" or "fortified settlement"), or makkababya the same name applied to the imperial camp in the Royal Chronicle of Baeda Maryam
Baeda Maryam of Ethiopia
Baeda Maryam was of Ethiopia, and a member of the Solomonic dynasty...
.
Emperor Fasilides
Fasilides of Ethiopia
Fasilides was of Ethiopia, and a member of the Solomonic dynasty...
broke with this tradition of progressing through the territories, and founded the city of Gondar
Gondar
Gondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
as his capital; its relative permanence makes the city historically important. Within the capital, he commanded the construction of an imposing edifice, the Fasil Gemb or Fasilides castle. The area around the Fasil Gemb was delineated by a wall with numerous gates. Subsequent Emperors built their own structures, many of which survive either in whole or part today. Visiting the Fasil Ghebbi in the late 1950s, Thomas Pakenham observed that "dotted among the palaces are what remains of the pavilions and kiosks of the imperial city".
Description
The Fasil Ghebbi covers an area of about 70,000 square meters. To its south lies Adababay, the market place of Gondar, where Imperial proclamations were made, troops presented, and criminals executed; it is currently a city park. The complex is enclosed by a curtain wall which is pierced by twelve gates. These are, in counter-clockwise order: Fit Ber (also called Jan Tekle Ber) opening onto Adababay; Wember Ber ("Gate of the Judges"); Tazkaro Ber ("Gate of Funeral Commemoration") which had a bridge destroyed by fighting during the reign of Emperor Iyasu IIIyasu II of Ethiopia
Iyasu II or Joshua II was of Ethiopia, and a member of the Gondar branch of Solomonic dynasty...
; Azaj Tequre Ber ("Gate of Azaj Tequre"), which once was connected by a bridge to Adababay Tekle Haymanot church; Adenager Ber ("Gate of the Spinners"), which was linked by a bridge to Qeddus Rafael church in the weaver's section of Gondar; Qwali Ber ("Gate of the Queen's Attendants"), next to the modern entrance to Elfin Giyorgis church inside the Enclosure; Imbilta Ber ("Gate of the Musicians"); Elfign Ber ("Gate of the Privy Chamber") which gave access to the private apartments of the Fasil Ghebbi; Balderas Ber (Gate of the Commander of the Cavalry"); Ras Ber ("Gate of the Ras") , also known as Qwarenyoch Ber ("Gate of the Qwara
Qwara
Qwara may refer to:*Qwara province in Ethiopia*Qwara language*Qwara , a district in the approximate location as the province...
people"); Ergeb Ber ("Gate of Pigeons"), also known as Kechin Ashawa Ber ("Gate of the Gifts"); Inqoye Ber ("Gate of Princess Inqoye", the mother of Empress Mentewab
Mentewab
Mentewab , was Empress of Ethiopia, consort of Emperor Bakaffa, mother of Iyasu II and grandmother of Iyoas I. She was also known officially by her baptismal name of Welete Giyorgis...
; and Gimjabet Mariyam Ber ("Gate of the Treasury of Mary"), which leads to the churchyard of Gimjabet Mariyam church.