GENERAL BUILDING HERITAGE

FASIL GHIBBI

Sara Mekonnen
Id 2164/13

1
 TABLE OF CONTENT

INTRODUCTION...................................................................1
.
HISTORY.................................................................................1

Location and Layout ......................................................2

Historical Significace....................................................2.

Cultural and Architectural Faes...............................3.

Castles and Churchs.......................................................4-6

conclusion............................................................................6

Reference..............................................................................7
 INTRODUCTION
Fasil Ghebbi, also known as the Royal Enclosure, is
a historical fortress located in Gondar, Ethiopia. It
was constructed in the 17th century by Emperor Fas-
ilides and served as the capital of the Ethiopian Em-
pire during the reign of the Solomonic dynasty. Fasil
Ghebbi is renowned for its unique architectural style,
combining influences from various cultures such as
Axumite, Arabian, and Indian. The site is of great his-
torical and cultural significance, symbolizing the pow-
er and grandeur of the Ethiopian Empire during that
period. Today, Fasil Ghebbi is recognized as a UNE-
SCO World Heritage Site and attracts tourists from
around the world.
HISTORY
Fasil Ghebbi was constructed in the 17th century
during the reign of Emperor Fasilides, who ruled from
1632 to 1667. This period is known as the Gondarine
period, named after the region of Gondar where Fasil
Ghebbi is located.
During this time, Ethiopia was ruled by the Solomon-
ic dynasty, which claimed descent from King Solo-
mon and the Queen of Sheba. The dynasty had been
in power since the 13th century and had established a
strong centralized government. However, the Gond-
arine period marked a significant shift in the political
landscape of Ethiopia.
Emperor Fasilides aimed to establish Gondar as a new
capital that would reflect the power and grandeur of
his empire. He moved the capital from Axum to Gon-
dar and began
constructing Fasil Ghebbi as the centerpiece of his
new capital. The construction of the fortress was a
statement of his authority and ambition to create a
lasting legacy.
The political environment of the region during this
time was characterized by internal conflicts and
external threats. The Ethiopian Empire faced con-
stant challenges from neighboring Muslim states,
particularly the Ottoman Empire and the Sultanate
of Adal. These conflicts led to a period of instability
and territorial loss for Ethiopia.
To counter these threats, Emperor Fasilides focused
on strengthening the military capabilities of his em-
pire. Fasil Ghebbi was strategically located on a hill,
providing a vantage point for monitoring and de-
fending against potential attacks. The fortress was
designed with defensive features such as thick walls,
towers, and moats with drawbridges.
The cultural environment of the region during this
time was cosmopolitan. The Ethiopian Empire had
extensive trade and cultural connections with var-
ious regions, including Arabia, India, and Europe.
This resulted in a fusion of architectural styles at Fa-
sil Ghebbi, incorporating elements from Axumite,
Arabian, and Indian traditions.
Gondar became a center of political, cultural, and
religious activities. Fasil Ghebbi hosted important
ceremonies and events, attracting nobles, clergy,
and scholars from across the empire. The fortress
also housed several churches and monasteries,
which served as centers of worship and pilgrimage
1
 Location and Layout
Fasil Ghebbi is located in the city of Gondar, which is
situated in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia.
Gondar is approximately 750 kilometers north of the
capital city, Addis Ababa. The city is surrounded by
hills and is located at an elevation of around 2,200
meters above sea level.
The architectural layout and design of Fasil Ghebbi
reflect a fusion of different styles and influences. The
fortress is situated on a hill known as Fasilides’ Bath,
overlooking the city of Gondar. It covers an area of
approximately 70,000 square meters and is surround-
ed by a high stone wall.
The fortress is designed in a rectangular shape, with
four main entrances located on each side. Each en-
trance is guarded by a tower and is accessed through
a drawbridge over a moat. The walls of the fortress
are made of stone and are several meters thick, pro-
viding a strong defense against potential attacks.
Inside the fortress, there are numerous buildings and
structures that serve different purposes. These in-
clude palaces, churches, monasteries, and other ad-
ministrative buildings. The buildings are constructed
using a combination of stone, wood, and plaster. They
feature intricate carvings and decorations, showcas-
ing the artistic skills of the craftsmen of that time.
The architectural style of Fasil Ghebbi is influenced
by various traditions. The Axumite style, which was
prevalent in Ethiopia during the ancient Aksumite
Empire, is evident in the use of stone construction and
the overall layout of the fortress. Arabian and Indian
influences can be seen in the decorative elements, such
as arches, domes, and intricate carvings.
The layout of Fasil Ghebbi is organized in a way that
reflects the hierarchical structure of the empire. The
palaces and administrative buildings are located closer
to the center of the fortress, while the churches and
monasteries are situated towards the outer edges. This
layout emphasizes the importance of religion and the
close relationship between the state and the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
One of the key aspects of Fasil Ghebbi’s significance
lies in its architectural and urban design. The fortress
represents a unique blend of different architectural
styles and influences, showcasing the cultural diversi-
ty and cosmopolitan nature of the Gondarine period.
It serves as a testament to the artistic and architectural
skills of the craftsmen of that time.
Fasil Ghebbi also served as a cultural center, with its
numerous palaces, churches, monasteries, and admin-
istrative buildings. These structures not only provid-
ed residences for the emperor and his court but also
housed important religious and administrative institu-
tions. The presence of churches and monasteries high-
lights the close relationship between the state and the
Ethiopian Orthodox Church, emphasizing the impor-
tance of religion in Ethiopian society.
2
 he churches and monasteries within Fasil Ghebbi
Furthermore, Fasil Ghebbi played a crucial role in shap- also exhibit unique architectural characteristics.
ing Ethiopian history through its strategic location. Sit- The Debre Berhan Selassie Church, for example,
uated in the Amhara region, it served as a stronghold is renowned for its stunning ceiling adorned with
against external threats and potential invasions. The paintings of angels. The Qusquam Church, on the
fortress’s strong defensive walls and strategic position- other hand, showcases a combination of Ethiopian
ing on a hill provided protection for the empire and its and Indian architectural styles.
rulers.
The site also includes the Fasilides’ Bath, which is a
Fasil Ghebbi also hosted significant political events, significant architectural structure. This bathhouse
such as the annual Timkat (Epiphany) celebrations. features a large rectangular pool surrounded by
During this festival, the emperor and his entourage columns and arches. It was used for religious cere-
would process from Fasil Ghebbi to the nearby Fasi- monies during the Timkat festival and serves as a
lides’ Bath, where a ceremonial reenactment of Jesus’ testament to the importance of water in Ethiopian
baptism would take place. This event not only show- culture.
cased the power and grandeur of the empire but also
reinforced the emperor’s religious authority. In terms of cultural significance, Fasil Ghebbi
represents the rich heritage and cultural diversity of
Ethiopia. The fusion of different architectural styles
reflects the cosmopolitan nature of the Gondarine
period and highlights Ethiopia’s historical connec-
Cultural and Architectural tions with various civilizations.
Features
One notable architectural feature is the use of stone The presence of churches and monasteries within
walls and towers. The fortress is surrounded by high Fasil Ghebbi emphasizes the deep-rooted influence
stone walls, which were built for defensive purposes. of religion in Ethiopian society. These religious
These walls are punctuated by numerous towers, pro- structures served as centers of worship, education,
viding both protection and a visually striking appear- and artistic expression, contributing to the devel-
ance. opment and preservation of Ethiopian Orthodox
Christianity.
Another prominent architectural feature is the presence
of palaces within the complex. The palaces, such as the Furthermore, Fasil Ghebbi played a crucial role in
Palace of Emperor Fasilides and the Palace of Empress shaping Ethiopian culture through its hosting of the
Mentewab, showcase intricate craftsmanship and deco- Timkat festival. This annual celebration not only
rative elements. They feature elaborately carved wood- showcases the religious devotion of the Ethiopian
en ceilings, colorful frescoes, and beautifully designed people but also serves as a symbol of national iden-
windows and doors. tity and unity.

3
 FASIL BATH
FASIL CASTLE
Located about three kilometers west of the city cen-
ter, the bath of Emperor Fasilides is surrounded by
a stone wall with seven entrances. It was once used
for religious rites as well as sporting events and was
connected to Fasil Ghebbi by a stone bridge so the
Emperor did not need to go through the city to ac-
cess his bath house. It was filled with water from the
Qeha River nearby. Today, the site is filled annually
for the epiphany ceremony that attracts locals and
tourists alike

During the 16th and 17th century, the Ethiopian Em-

peror Fasilides claimed Gondar as the Empire’s capital
and established a permanent city. Before that time, em-
perors would move their camps and lived in tents until
1636 with Fasilides establishing his empire in Gondar
and naming it Fasil Ghebbi. Fasil Ghebbi would contin-
ue being the center of Ethiopian government until 1864.
The city would go on to contain many palaces, churches,
monasteries, libraries, and a mix of private and public
buildings. Its building styles were influenced by Hindu
and Arab designs, and a mixture of baroque style that
came along with the Jesuit missionaries. Its presence as churches
the capital for the royal empire is said to have pushed its
influence over the designs that would become Ethiopian Emperor Fasilides built three churches on the
architectural styles. Fasil Ghebbi compound- Debre Tsiba Elfign
Fasil Castle was constructed with a medieval exterior ap- Giorgh Church (St. George’s Church), Debre
pearance in 1632-1667 out of stone and timber materials Genet Atatami Micheal Church (St. Michael’s
as a private residence for Emperor Fasilides Church) and Mekane Negest Gimja Bet Mariam
Church (St. Mary’s). Over time Gondar came
to be known as the “city of 44 churches”
with some of the earliest residing inside the
compound walls.

4

Ethiopian Orthodox churcheshave either circular or rect-
angular floor plansthat mandate that women enter the
church From the right while men enter from the left.In-
side is a square room in the center known as the “holiest
of holies” or “debir.” Only priests and deacons are permit-
ted within this chamber where a replica of the Ark of the
Covenant is housed.
YOHANNIS CHANCELLERY
Yohannes’ Chancellery originally had a library on the
main floor and his chambers on the second floor where a better understanding of the lifestyle and rituals
the exterior stairs lead to. The Chancellery has been
greatly altered through its history of restorations, the
most prominent change being the stuccoed exterior and is due to a timely swarm of bees intervening in the
insensitive window installation done by an Italian team Mahdists’ attempts to destory the church.
in the 1930s. Today the building is used as the site’s ar-
chives and proved to be invaluable for the team’s research.
IYASSUS CASTLE
Emperor Iyasu built his castle directly behind Em-
peror Fasil’s castle and cistern and he elaborately
decorated the interior with silver, gold, precious
stones and ivory. Unlike his father Yohannes, Em-
peror Iyasu collected taxes from Ethiopia as well
as Sudan and Egypt to fund his extravagant taste.
The castle contains a double spiral staircase on the
northeast corner capped by a egg-shaped cupola.
Inside, the arched ceiling is embellished with red
stone that compliments the details around the
arched windows.
\
DEBRE BIRHAN SILLASE
The Debre Birhan Silassie (Light of the Trinity)
Church is seen from the outside as a plain rect-
angular stone church with corrugated steel and
thatch roof. It was constructed in 1711-1716 by the
grandson of Fasilidas, Iyasu the Great. The church
survived the Mahdist war in 1888 between Egypt
and Sudan. Its existence provides researchers with
of the Ethiopian civilization as it is the only church
to remain exactly as it was. It is rumored that this
Dawit Castle
Emperor Dawit contributed a music hall to the cas-
tle complex that was divided by a thick stone wall to
separate the spiritual music played on the left with
the secular music that would be played on the right.
It appears that the building originally had two sto-
ries and entrances in to the hall from all four sides.
5

Bakaffa’s Banquet Hall and
Stables
Emperor Bakaffa built a large castle in the back, north-
west corner of the compound that included a banquet
hall and stables. When facing the structure, the banquet
hall was on the right, while the horses resided in the sta-
bles on the left. Horses were placed in the individual sta-
ble doors in order of their ranking official with the high-
est ranked in the innermost stable.
Mentewab’s Castle
Her castle sits at the rear of the Fasil Ghebbi and is built
in to the compound walls. It is a two-and-a-half story
structure adorned with Gondarian crosses above the
second story windows made of red tuff while the walls
are built of basalt rock . Mentewab also had a residence
outside the complex known as Qusquam that is built in
a similar style
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Fasil Ghebbi, also known as Fasil
Gimb or the Royal Enclosure, stands as a remark-
able testament to Ethiopia’s rich history and cul-
tural heritage. Located in Gondar, this UNESCO
World Heritage Site represents the pinnacle of
Ethiopian architecture during the Gondarine pe-
riod.
Preserving Fasil Ghebbi has been a priority, with
restoration projects, documentation efforts, con-
servation of artwork, and community engagement
playing pivotal roles. These initiatives aim to pro-
tect the site’s architectural treasures, maintain its
historical integrity, and ensure its longevity for fu-
ture generations to appreciate and learn from.
The recognition of Fasil Ghebbi as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site underscores its exceptional
universal value and cultural significance. This in-
ternational acknowledgment has raised awareness
about the site’s importance and spurred the Ethio-
pian government and international organizations
to continue their efforts in safeguarding it.
Fasil Ghebbi stands as a living testament to Ethio-
pia’s glorious history, architectural brilliance, and
cultural diversity. Its preservation and apprecia-
tion ensure that its legacy continues to inspire and
educate generations to come, while serving as a
symbol of national pride and identity.
6
REFERENCE
1.design.unm.edu

2.www.wikipedia.com

3.UNESCO world heritage center

4.Think Africa.net

87