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- 2 days, 1 night ancient kingdom experience
About Axum — Where Ethiopia’s Ancient Story Still Lives
Axum is not simply just an ancient city—it is a place where Ethiopia’s history, faith, and identity come together.
Once the heart of the powerful Aksumite Kingdom, Axum was a major center of trade and civilization connecting Africa with the wider ancient world.
Today, its towering stone stelae, royal tombs, inscriptions, and archaeological remains offer a remarkable glimpse into a civilization that flourished more than a thousand years ago.
At the center of the city stands St. Mary of Zion, one of Ethiopia’s most sacred Orthodox Christian sites.
According to Ethiopian tradition, the chapel associated with the church complex is the guardian of the Ark of the Covenant.
*Note this image is only a depiction this does not show the actual ark of the covenant.
What Else You Can Find in Axum Ethiopia
Axum is not only about its monuments. Walk through the city and you encounter stories carved into stone, ancient traditions that remain alive, and a landscape that connects Ethiopia’s present with its distant past.
Axum is a journey into the roots of Ethiopia—where ancient kings, sacred traditions, and extraordinary stone monuments tell a story that has survived for centuries.
What Is The History Of Axum and St. Mary of Zion Church
Located in the highlands of northern Ethiopia, Axum (also spelled Aksum) was the beating heart of one of the ancient world’s four great powers, standing alongside Rome, Persia, and China. Between the 1st and 8th centuries CE, the Axumite Empire controlled vital trade routes linking the Mediterranean to India, minting its own currency and erecting monolithic granite stelae that still dominate the skyline today.
The Rise of Christian Axum
Axum’s historical trajectory shifted permanently in the 4th century CE under King Ezana. Guided by Frumentius—a Syrian Christian who became the first Bishop of Axum—Ezana converted to Christianity around 330 CE. This made Axum one of the earliest empires to adopt Christianity as a state religion, predating much of Europe.
St. Mary of Zion: Ethiopia’s Holiest Sanctuary
Shortly after his conversion, King Ezana commissioned the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion (Mariam Ts’iyon). Built in the 4th century, it stands as the oldest active Christian church site in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Ark of the Covenant:
Ethiopian Orthodox tradition holds that Menelik I, son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, brought the original Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Axum. It remains housed in a guarded chapel within the St. Mary of Zion complex, accessible only to a single appointed guardian monk.
Destruction and Rebuilding:
The original 4th-century cathedral was destroyed in the 16th century during the wars with Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi. It was rebuilt in the 17th century by Emperor Fasilides in a fortress-like Gonderine style.
Modern Expansion:
In the 1950s, Emperor Haile Selassie built a massive new modern cathedral adjacent to the old church to accommodate pilgrims, opening the complex to women who were historically restricted from entering the old structure.
Today, Axum and St. Mary of Zion remain the spiritual center of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, attracting thousands of pilgrims annually during the festival of HidAR Ts’iyon.
How To Visit Axum and St. Mary of Zion Church From Addis Ababa
Traveling from Ethiopia’s bustling capital, Addis Ababa, to the sacred ancient city of Axum is easier than ever. Located roughly 1,000 kilometers north, reaching Axum is best done by air, as overland road trips can take upwards of two days through rugged mounta
By Air (Recommended):
Ethiopian Airlines operates direct domestic flights from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) to Axum Airport (AXU).
The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, offering breathtaking views of the Ethiopian Highlands along the way.
Getting to the Complex:
Once you land in Axum, the St. Mary of Zion complex is just a 15-to-20-minute drive from the airport toward the town center.
Visiting Tips & Customs
Dress Code:
Out of respect for sacred Orthodox traditions, dress modestly. Men and women should cover their shoulders and knees. White cotton shawls (netela) are traditional and welcomed.
Access Rules:
Note that women are welcome throughout the modern cathedral, museum, and grounds, but entry into the historic 17th-century church building is strictly reserved for men.
Also note: The Chapel of the Tablet (housing the Ark) is closed to all visitors except the guardian monk.
Experience Axum with Abyssinia Explorer Tours
If you want to experience the spiritual depth and ancient majesty of Axum without worrying about logistics, Abyssinia Explorer Tours offers an exclusive 2-Day Axum & St. Mary of Zion Tour.
Read about this in our tour Itinerary page here or if you do have any questions Including the price of this tour, available discounts for groups or about the actual tour itself you can contact us on Whatsapp through our page with link below
