ሓወልቲ ኣኽሱም ቑፅሪ-1 | Aksum Obelisk No-1

Amazing history, wonderful reminder of an Ethiopian past. However the attempt by guides to trick you into tipping them spoils the wonderful experience. You do not need a guide!

The Axum Obelisk is a tall, carved stone pillar located in the city of Axum in northern Ethiopia. It is one of several obelisks in the area and is believed to have been erected during the ancient Kingdom of Aksum, which was a powerful empire in the region from the 1st to the 7th centuries AD. The obelisk is made of solid granite and stands at over 24 meters tall, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world. It is decorated with intricate carvings and inscriptions that provide valuable historical and cultural information about the Aksumite civilization. The Axum Obelisk is considered a symbol of Ethiopia's rich history and heritage.

Hawelti or Obelisk is found at the old town of Axum and those giant obelisks were transported by the Axumite people using elephants from 5km west of Axum Gobo dura and erected at the main Stelea showing the power , architecture and tombs of kings and nobleman . I like it so much the history , some how excavated but mostly not discovered . I proud by the people who made it and their endless civilization .

These ancient pillars were erected for kings and noble men upon there passing. The taller the pillar the more power they possesed. Under each structure lies the tomb with different levels for the passing of other family members. As you can see some of the stone structures have fallen and on them are symbols that bears meaning of greatness and possible guiding the dead to great place. Its an amazing site.

The 'obelisk' or stele[a] is a stone pillar acting as marker for underground burial chamber for a king or noble man. The Obelisk of Axum is a 4th-century CE, 24-metre tall phonolite stele, weighing 160 tonnes decorated with multi-story false windows and false doors. There are also other smaller steles at the site as well as many burial chambers that allowed entry.

Axum (also spelled Aksum) is a town in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia with a population of 66,900 residents (as of 2015). It was the capital of the ancient Aksumite Empire, which was a major power in East Africa and South Arabia from the 1st to the 8th centuries AD. The Aksumite Empire was a major trading power, and Axum was a hub for trade between Africa, Arabia, and the Greco-Roman world. The empire also played an important role in the spread of Christianity in Africa. Axum is home to a number of important archaeological sites, including: The Stelae Field, which contains a number of massive stone obelisks, some of which are over 30 meters tall. The Tombs of the Kings, which are a series of underground tombs that were used by Aksumite royalty. The Queen of Sheba's Palace, which is a large ruined building that is thought to have been the palace of the Queen of Sheba. Axum is also home to the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, which is one of the most important holy sites in Ethiopian Christianity. In 1980, Axum was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Axum is a significant site for both its historical and religious importance. It is a reminder of the power and influence of the Aksumite Empire, and it is a place of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the world.

There are about 20 stelae (obelisks) of all sizes in the park, all erected around the 4th century AD. The largest one is 33 metres tall and probably fell to the ground just after having been erected, according to sources. I somewhere read that it is the largest one-piece object ever made by human beings and then moved. It weighs 520 tons. That is as much as a Boeing A380, the largest aircraft available, fully loaded! One understands that the Axumite kingdom must have been a 'great' civilization, as they say. A visit to the park is fairly quickly done. Tickets must be bought at the official ticket office five minutes down the street (100 birr). Outside of the park there are many guides who offer their services.

We had a great time and were amazed by the size and history we saw there. There was also a wild dog living under one of the obelisk. Apparently Axum does not have a dog catcher.