Gondar Castle, The Camelot of Ethiopia

Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Travelationship

Gondar Castle is not just one castle but the name for an entire complex of palaces and castles in Gondar, Ethiopia. Known by the locals and the guidebooks as the Royal Enclosure. You will find it near the town center and easily located on foot or by tuk-tuk. You might also see it listed as Fasil Ghebbi Palace. One of the most interesting and intact sights we visited while in Ethiopia and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The entire complex takes up some 70,000 sqm, dates back to the 17th century, and is often referred to by historians as the Camelot of Ethiopia.

Begging with the Highlight of Gondar Castle

Upon entering the complex and purchasing your ticket, you will be immediately approached by a person from the local tour guide association. Choosing to have a guide is optional, so don’t feel pressured to hire one. We decided to rely on some text from our guidebook, which likely led to us not getting the whole experience of the site.

The first building you’ll see on your right will be Fasil Gemb or Fasilides’ Palace. The most impressive building in the complex by far. Designed by an Indian architect and is noted for its many blendings of Indian, Portuguese, and Moorish influences. Emperor Fasilides broke the standard tradition of the day and picked one location from which to have his residence, and thus founded and claimed the city of Gondar as his capital. He surrounded his palace with a wall that contained twelve gates, and inside that wall is what is known as the royal enclosure today. Explore the dining halls, reception area, and prayer room in Fasilides’ Palace; keep an eye out for the Star of David reliefs.

Continuing in the Gondar Castle Complex

After you have finished with Fasilides’ Palace, the kitchen, and steam bath buildings, look for the remains of the Palace of Iyasu I. Mostly a shell, it is still interesting to walk among the ruins and imagine what once was. We headed past the Library that has since been plastered over by the Italians, which was closed, to Fasilides’ Archive. Only the tower and walls remain from the archive, but you can climb the stairs and get a peek of the grounds from a higher elevation.

Earthquakes and wars have taken their toll on the Royal Enclosure. As we winded our way to the remaining buildings in the north, there was less and less to see. You can still get an idea of the long Banqueting Hall, Mentewab’s Castle, and the Lion Houses. The buildings in the north don’t have the same substance or explorable area as the ones in the south, so it feels like you brush over them.

Know Before You Go:

• They only accept cash for tickets
• Bring a bottle of water as there is no place to purchase one inside
• Visitors can only hire official guides from inside the enclosure. That being said, hiring a guide is not mandatory.

Travelasics:

• The complex has one entrance and one exit. The entrance is near the southernmost point of the complex (farthest from the town center) and the exit to the north, creating an intentional traffic flow.
• The Royal Enclosure is open daily from 8:30-12:30 and then again from 13:30-18:00. I would not bet the farm on the facility keeping these hours precisely. Give yourself some leeway on your visit; that should only take about two hours.

Travelationship Rating:

3 out of 5 Travelationship High Fives. If you like adventure, history, or bucket lister travel, you will like Gondar Castle.

While it is pretty amazing to find a castle in Africa, this is one of the most intact sites we came across in Ethiopia. It was missing the wow factor of many other forts we visited. Most structures were gutted or closed—almost no sign in any language.

Want to see another must-visit from Gondar? Come with us here. Looking for more on Ethiopia, head here.

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