Old Palace


This old palace was under reconstruction at the time of writing.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Basket Market

0.06 MILES

Aksum has two interesting markets that burst to life on Saturday; both are best between 10.30am and noon. This one takes place under the massive fig tree…

2. Ezana Park

0.25 MILES

A rather ugly tin-roofed hut in this central park holds a stone with identical text to King Ezana’s Inscription, but it’s in poorer condition and in a…

3. Ark of the Covenant Chapel

0.28 MILES

In between the old and new St Mary of Zion churches is the real reason for most people’s devotion: a tiny, carefully guarded chapel that houses what most…

4. Old Church of St Mary of Zion

0.28 MILES

The rectangular, men-only old church at the southern end of the complex of churches here is a remarkable example of traditional architecture built by the…

5. St Mary of Zion Church Museum

0.29 MILES

The museum inside the St Mary of Zion Church complex contains an impressive haul of treasure, including an unsurpassed collection of former Ethiopian…

6. Main Market

0.3 MILES

The main market, with spices and the like, runs all week, but is busiest on Saturday.

7. New Church of St Mary of Zion

0.3 MILES

The huge new church of St Mary of Zion was built in the 1960s so women had a place to worship and it displays Haile Selassie’s usual hideous taste. Still…

8. King Bazen's Tomb

0.3 MILES

Despite being the crudest of tombs, roughly hewn into solid rock instead of constructed with fine masonry, this place has a slightly magical feel…