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| Axum is the home of the magnificient stelaes . It is Ethiopia's most ancient city, and capital of the most glorious empires of the past. It is also the home of the graves of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskel.The Axumite Kingdom was a trading state that has emerged around the first century A. D. Dating back to more than a thousand year, Axum was the hub of the Axumite Empire, which dominated the vital crossroads of Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. In the mid fourth century, the Axumite King, Ezana adopted the Christian religion, thus making it one of the first christian state in the history. In the 5th century A.D. , the Axumites began using their own language , Geez. |
| All over the city of Axum are relics of the glorious past, royal palaces ,bath of the Queen of Sheba, and stelaes. The impressive stelaes of Axum are solid granite stones. They dominate the skyline , displaying fine stone carving. Originally seven, the largest of the stelae measures 33 meters , and weighed more than 500 tonnes, lies in pieces next to the remaining stelae. The third largest stand at 23 meters. The decoration is in the form of a house , with representation of doors and windows. |
| St Mary of Zion was built around the fourth century; It is said to be the resting place of the original Ark of The Convenant, which housed The Ten Commandments. According to legend,Menelik , son of Queen of Sheba and King Solomon brought The Ark here, and founded the Solomonic Dynasty. |
| Debre Damo monastry is found approximately 78 kilometers from Axum. It is one of the oldest church in Ethiopia. Local tradition says that Abune Aregawi built the church in the 16th century. This monastry can only be reached by rope pulley , and is closed to women. |
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