For 200 years during Ethiopia's middle Ages in the 17th and 18th Centuries,
the kings of Gandar ruled much of Northern Ethiopia.
HISTORICAL CAPITAL CITIES OF ETHIOPIA
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Gondar
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GONDAR (1630-1769)
After the decline of the Zagwe Dynasty at Lalibela, Ethiopia was ruled by kings who moved from place to place. But when they finally decide to settle, Gondar was chosen as the Capital in the 17th Century.
For 200 years during Ethiopia's middle Ages in the 17th and 18th Centuries,
the kings of Gandar ruled much of Northern Ethiopia.
In 1632, when king Fasilades selected Gondar as his capital, the city turned into the political and cultural center of the country. The creation of Gandar is credited to Fasilades (1632-67) who built the first castle. The medieval castles and churches were built by the different emperors that reigned between the 17th and 19th Century. King Fasilades and his followers built some of the most remarkable buildings of their time.
At the end of the 18th Century, however, the stability of the Gondar Kings began to weaken. The capital was later changed to various places by subsequent kings, but Addis Ababa became the next well known capital of the country.
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© Arsema Andargatchew 2002
arsemitty@hotmail.com | Last modified
March 2002