Axum, ancient treasure
Presentation
Axum, the oldest city of Ethiopia, former capital of one of the most glorious empires of the past, is one of the most illustrious links of the historic route.
The Aksum Empire flourished 3000 years ago. This ancient city located in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, is steeped in a rich and legendary history.
Axum, legends and history
According to tradition, Aksum was the heart of the kingdom of the Queen of Sheba, an iconic figure associated with the legendary meeting with King Solomon.
This union is said to have given birth to Menelik I, the founder of the Solomonid dynasty in Ethiopia and great emperor.
The history of Aksum is also closely linked to the Ark of the Covenant, a biblical object of veneration said to have been installed in the Church of Saint Mary of Zion in Aksum. This sacred relic is considered the tangible manifestation of the covenant between God and the people of Israel, and its presence in Aksum gives considerable religious and cultural significance to the city.
The obelisks of Axum
While exploring Aksum, one also discovers the majestic steles, stone funerary monuments which bear witness to the ancient grandeur of the city. These steles, carved with precision and decorated with symbols and inscriptions, reflect the ingenuity and expertise of ancient Aksumite artisans.
The Stelae of Aksum, Ethiopia are impressive monuments that bear witness to the ancient greatness of the Aksumite civilization. These steles, carved from heavy granite slabs, are decorated with symbolic motifs and inscriptions that offer a fascinating insight into the art and culture of the time. They are also associated with funerary and commemorative architecture, emphasizing the importance of memory and tradition in Aksumite society.
The history of the most imposing Aksum stele (24 meters), an emblematic monument of the ancient Aksumite civilization, is marked by a controversial chapter linked to its removal by Italian troops during the invasion of Ethiopia by Mussolini. This stele, dating from the 4th century, was stolen in 1937 and transported to Italy, where it was erected as a war trophy in Rome.
After decades of demands for restitution by Ethiopia, Italy finally made the decision to return the stele to its place of origin. In 2005, the stele was dismantled in Rome and brought back to Ethiopia, where it was reinstalled at its original site in Aksum. This return of the stele was a historic and moving moment for Ethiopia, symbolizing the restitution of a precious cultural heritage that had been torn from its country of origin.
The Ark of the Covenant
The 16th century Cathedral of Sainte-Marie de Sion was built within the grounds of an ancient holy church from the 4th century.
In its sanctuary it is said that there is the original of the Ark of the Covenant. The churches and monasteries of Axum are richly endowed with icons and some of the ancient crowns of the Ethiopian Emperors.
The town of Axum brings together thousands of pilgrims for the pilgrimage to Saint Mary of Sion. Find our journey for this moving pilgrimage here.
