Axum (or Aksum) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Africa and the heart of the ancient Aksumite Empire, which flourished from the 1st to the 7th century AD. At its height, Axum was one of the four great powers of the ancient world alongside Rome, Persia, and China.
The city’s most famous landmarks are the giant stelae (obelisks), the tallest of which stands 24 metres high and is carved from a single piece of granite. The Northern Stelae Field is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby are royal tombs, including the Tomb of King Kaleb, and the ruins of the Queen of Sheba’s Palace.
The Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion claims to house the Ark of the Covenant, guarded by a single monk. Whether or not the claim is true, Axum remains Ethiopia’s holiest city and a pilgrimage destination of immense significance.