The stone front
Wide arches, a broad stairway.
Sailko — CC BY 3.0 · Sailko — CC BY 3.0 · Nebyu derseh tenaw — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sailko — CC BY 3.0 · Sailko — CC BY 3.0
Holy Trinity Cathedral, known in Amharic as Kidist Selassie, is the highest ranking Ethiopian Orthodox cathedral in Addis Ababa. It is among the most striking buildings in the capital, with domes, towers and a stone front, set in a broad compound with thick trees. It is an important place of worship in Ethiopia, and visitors also come to understand the place of the church in the country's modern history. Work began on 22 December 1931 under Emperor Haile Selassie and stopped with the Italian invasion. It was completed in 1942. It holds the graves of leading figures in Ethiopian history, including the emperor and his wife, along with memorials in the grounds, so it reads like an open record of the country's 20th century. From outside you see a pale stone front with wide arches, topped by a large dome and two small towers, with a broad stairway before it. Around the church is a shaded space of carved tombs and monuments, and a stone path leading to a smaller church. This is a place of worship, so keep quiet, do not photograph worshippers and ask about the rules for entry at the door. It is about 1 km in a straight line from the National Museum of Ethiopia and about 2 km from the city centre. Dress modestly, women should cover their hair, and take off your shoes if you go in. The finest light comes in the morning.
Wide arches, a broad stairway.
Above the church.
Carved tombs among trees.
Central Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Usually yes for a small fee, and follow the instructions of the church staff.
Modest clothing for everyone, with hair covered for women.
