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St. George's Church
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The Martyr's Statue
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Addis Ababa
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Addis Ababa city Hall
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Description
Addis Ababa (the
name means 'new flower') is of fairly recent origin - Menelik 11
founded the city in 1887. Situated in the foothills of the
Entoto
Mountains and standing 2,400 metres above sea level it is the
third highest capital in the world. The city has a population of
about two million.
Before moving to the present site of Addis Ababa, Menelik had
established temporary capitals at six different locations caused
by exhausting the fuel wood at each of these sites. Addis itself
was in danger of being abandoned until the introduction of
fast-growing eucalyptus trees from Australia provided the city
with a regular source of fuel.
Addis Ababa is an important administrative centre not only for
Ethiopia but also
for the whole of Africa. The headquarters of the UN Economic
Commission for
Africa was established here in 1958 and it is the site of the
OAU's secretariat.
Getting
There and Away
By Air :
Bole International
Airport
is 5 kilometres from the city centre and is undergoing major
extensions, with a new International Passenger Terminal Building
under construction:
Ethiopian Airlines run a free shuttle bus into the city. Taxis and
'contract taxis' run to and from the city, and leave the city from
Piazza area
By Bus :
The 2 main bus stations in Addis are the Autobus Terra near
Mercato, and the smaller terminal on
Ras Mekonin Ave
near the railway station. All National buses, with the exception
of buses to Nazret and Oebre Zeyi leave from the Autobus Terra.
Buses to Nazret and Debre Zeyit depart from the terminal in
Ras Mekonin Ave.
Getting
Around
Very few
streets have names in
Addis Ababa
, and if they do may not be known by the names on the map. The
exception to this is Churchill Avenue which is the main
thoroughfare and shopping street in Addis.
It is best to navigate by using landmarks like the Post Office (posto
bet), Abiot (also known as Meskal), the station (la gare) and
areas like Piazza and Mercato, which are shopping areas. Some
roads have one name on the map and another in general use. For
example Africa Avenue on the map is universally known as
Bole Road, and Has Biru Avenue as
Debre Zeit Road.
There is a large and efficient network of blue and white minibuses
which cover the town.
Attractions
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Addis Ababa Hilton
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Addis Ababa Sheraton
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Addis Train station
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Selassie (Trinity Church)
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Africa
Hall:
Africa Hall is on Menelik 11 Ave - an imposing symbol of African
independence and optimism. It houses the headquarters of the UN
Economic Commission for Africa. The huge stained glass windows
depict the suffering of the people of Africa.
The Filwoha springs are just to the west of the Africa Hall. These
springs, which have obviously lost some of their former beauty,
prompted Queen Taytu to persuade her husband to establish his new
capital at Addis Ababa. The thermal waters are now diverted to an
adjacent bathing complex.
Also next to the Africa Hall lies the huge Square a natural
amphitheater where parades are held every September to mark the
1974 revolution. Portraits of Marx, Angels, Lenin and Comrade
Mengistur used to adorn the square.
St George's Cathedral:
St George's Cathedral (Giorgis Cathedral). lies at the north end
of Churchill Rd. Built in 1896 in the traditional octagonal shape
to commemorate Ethiopia's victory over the Italians at the Battle
of Adwa, the Cathedral houses the work of Afewerk Tekle, the
renowned Ethiopian artist responsible for the stained glass
windows of the Africa Hall. Cathedral opens 0800-0900 and
1200-1400. There is a small museum in the compound.
The Menelik Mausoleum:
The Menelik Mausoleum, built in 1941 to serve as the tombs of
emperors and princes, and the Trinity Cathedral, are located
nearby St. George's. The Trinity Cathedral was built to
commemorate
Ethiopia's
liberation from five years of Italian occupation.
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National Theatre
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Meskel Square
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The Lion of Judah Monument
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Sidist Kilo
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Haile Selassie's Grand palace:
Haile Selassie's Grand palace is located north east of Churchill
Ave at the end of Colsen St. The Emperor has a second residence,
Jubilee
Palace,
on Menelik Ave, just north of the Ghion Hotel.
National Museum:
The small
National
Museum
is located at Han St / Kilo crossroads, just north of St Mary's
Church. Guides are the only real source of information, since
the exhibits are poorly labelled, but they vary in standard. The
exhibits are varied, and include Lucy; the female fossil skeleton
found in northeast Ethiopia in 1974, believed to be about three
and a half million years old. The museum has an extensive
collection of artifacts, some predating the Axumite civilization
of Tigre. It also includes a selection of the more than 200
designs of crosses found in Ethiopia. It is open from 0830-1230
and 1330-1730.
Near the museum are the Lion Cages, probably the only place in
Ethiopia to see the Abyssinian lion. The cages are probably best
not visited by animal lovers.
Menelik
IISquare: In Menelik
II Square
stands the
imposing
equestrian
statue of
Emperor
Menelik II,
the victor
of Adawa.
The statue
was erected
by Emperor
Haile
Selassie and
dedicated on
the day
before his
coronation
in 1930, in
memory of
his great
predecessor.
The square
is located
outside the
main gates
of St.
George
Cathedral (Genete
Tsige
Menagesha
Kidus
Giorgis),
and is close
to City
Hall. The
distance
markers on
all the
highways in
Ethiopia
mark the
distance to
their
location
from the
base of the
statue of
Emperor
Menelik II
in this
Square.
Every year,
on the
anniversary
of the
victory of
the Battle
of Adawa,
the Emperor
would lay a
wreath at
this statue
after
attending
mass at St.
George
Cathedral
(the victory
had occurred
on St.
George's
Day). Col.
Mengistu
continued
laying a
wreath here
on the
anniversary,
but did not
attend the
church
services as
his regime
was Marxist.
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Haile Selassie's Grand palace
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The Tiglachin Monument
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The Freedom Tower
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Menilik Hospital
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Yekatit 12
Martyrs Square (Sidist
Kilo): The Yekatit
12 Square (Sidist
Kilo) monument
stands in
tribute to the
thousands of
innocent martyrs
butchered by the
Fascist Italian
Occupiers on
that date in in
the Ethiopian
Calender year of
1929 (1936
Gregorian
Calendar). The
massacre took
place at the
order of the
Italian Vice-Roy
Marshal
Grazziani in
response to an
assassination
attempt against
him carried out
by two
pro-Ethiopia
Eritreans. The
monument is
shown here
during a
religious
procession of
priests of the
Orthodox Church,
probably at
Timkat
(Epiphany).
Wreaths were
laid here by the
Emperor to
commemorate the
massacre every
year. Col.
Mengistu Haile
Mariam continued
this practice
during his rule,
but for a time
after the fall
of the Dergue
regime, only the
Mayor of Addis
carried out this
practice.
Recently, the
President of the
Federal Republic
has taken over
this task. The
monument is in
the form of a
white obelisk
with black bas
reliefs of
scenes of the
massacre as well
as scenes of the
Imperial funeral
accorded to the
remains of the
victims in the
presence of the
Emperor
following the
liberation
around it. A
Lion of Judah
also decorates
the face of the
obelisk. Even
though the image
of the Lion of
Judah and the
Emperor Haile
Selassie were
removed from all
over the city
during the reign
of the Dergue,
they suprisingly
did not touch
this monument.
The monument
stands in the
Sidist Kilo
square infront
of the Yekatit
12 Hospital
(formerly
Emperor Haile
Selassie
Hospital and
known before
that as the
Beite Saida
Hospital). Also
facing the
square are the
southern gates
of the Guenete
Leul Palace,
which today is
the main campus
of the Addis
Ababa University
(formerly Haile
Selassie I
University).
Another major
attraction
adjoining the
square is the
old Imperial
Lion Zoo, where
many of the old
Imperial lions
and their
decendents live.
The Churches of
Menbere Leul
Kidus Markos
(Altar of
Princes St.
Marks Church)
and the Meskia
Hazunan Medhane
Alem are both
nearby, as are
the former
palaces of the
Crown Prince
(later the
Political
Cadre's College
during the
Dergue Era), the
Duke of Harrar
(later the
Headquarters of
the Womens wing
of the Workers
Party of
Ethiopia), and
Princess
Tenagnework
(later the
headquarters of
the Ethiopian
Navy), as well
as the American
and Greek
Embassies.
Meyazia 27 Square (Arat
Kilo):
Meyazia 27 Square is
the official name of
what is popularly
known as Arat Kilo,
a name that applies
both to the square
and the surrounding
district of the city
of Addis Ababa. The
monument at the
heart of the Square
commemorates the
victory over the
fascist Italian
invaders, and the
struggle that
preceded it (Meyazia
27 on the Ethiopian
Calendar, May 5th on
the Gregorian
Calendar, is both
the day that Addis
Ababa was occupied
by the Fascists, as
well as the day that
Emperor Haile
Selassie returned to
his capital in
triumph exactly 5
years later). The
original monument
includes a relief of
the Emperor Haile
Selassie holding the
national flag, which
was altered during
the reign of the
Dergue regime into a
representation of a
guerrilla fighter
holding the national
flag. The EPRDF
regime that deposed
the Dergue restored
the Emperor's face
to the monument. The
central obelisk,
topped by a Lion of
Judah, actually
predates the fascist
occupation, and the
surrounding circle
of relief figures
and monumental
panels was added
after the war. The
Arat Kilo monument
stands at the heart
of Addis Ababa's
government district,
and in front of the
Ministry of
Education building
(not shown here).
Holy Trinity
Cathedral (whose
dome can be seen in
the background) and
the Parliament
building are nearby,
as are the present
office of the Prime
Minister and the
Imperial Palace.
Also nearby are the
Science College, the
Holy Trinity
Theological college,
Emperor Menelik II
High School and the
Berhan Ena Selam
Printing Press.
Foreign Heads of
State customarily
lay a wreath at this
monument during
state visits. This
square was the focus
of Victory Day
celebrations held on
May 5th (Meyazia 27)
every year when the
Emperor would lay a
wreath here
following his
attendance at Mass
at Meskia Hazunan
Medhane Alem Church
(Church of the
Savior of the World,
Consoler of the
Grieved). The Dergue
regime changed the
date of Victory Day
to the day that
General Cunningham
and his British,
South African and
Nigerian Troops
actually entered the
city. The post
Dergue government in
Ethiopia has
restored Victory Day
to it's original
date.
The Lion of
Judah Monument:
The Lion of
Judah Monument
stands in the
square in front
of Addis Ababa's
train station.
The golden
colored statue
of the Lion of
Judah in it's
complete glory
stands on a
black granite
pedestal which
is decorated
with relief
portraits of
Emperors Menelik
II and Haile
Selassie I, and
Empress Zewditu,
as well as Ras
Makonnen. It
marks the foot
of the city's
widest and
avenue,
Churchill Road
which has the
impressive Addis
Ababa City Hall
at it's other
end. The Lion of
Judah statue has
a very
interesting
history. Erected
in 1930 just
before Emperor
Haile Selassie's
coronation, it
was looted by
the Italian
occupiers in
1935 and taken
to Rome, where
it was erected
next to the
Vittorio
Emanuelle
Monument. During
the 4th
anniversary
celebrations of
the proclomation
of the Itlian
Empire, Adolf
Hitler chose to
visit Rome, and
attended the
celebratory
parades along
side the Fascist
Dictator
Musollini and
King Victor
Emanuelle III.
In the parade
were numerous
subjects of
Italy's African
Empire,
including a
young Eritrean
named Zerai
Deres. Zerai
Deres was
marching with
other parade
members carrying
a ceremonial
sword with which
to salute the
King, the
Fuhrer, and el
Duce, at the
grandstand. As
the parade
marched past the
Vittorio
Emauelle
monument, Zerai
looked up and
saw to his
shock, the
golden Lion of
Judah, the
symbol of the
ancient monarchy
to which his
ancestors had
long owed
aliegence,
erected as war
booty in the
heart of Rome.
It was too much
for him to bear,
and he promptly
drew his sword
and with tears
of anger running
down his face he
fell on the
first Italian
officer he could
find. He killed
and wounded
numerous Italian
military
officers before
he was killed.
Zerai Deres is
lionized to this
day as a brave
Ethiopian
patriot. The
monument
remained in Rome
for several
decades, and was
finally returned
to Addis Ababa
after long
negotiations in
the 1960's. When
it was
re-erected in
it's square the
day it arrived,
the Emperor was
present in
military uniform
to salute, and
to pay tribute
to Zerai Deres.
Following the
revolution in
1974, the Dergue
regime decided
to remove the
statue once more
as it was a
monarchist
symbol. However,
the elderly war
veterans
association
members appealed
to the Dergue to
consider the
memory of Zerai
Deres and his
sacrifice that
was inspired by
this very
symbol. This act
saved the statue
and it stood it
all it's
Imperial glory
right through
the Dergue era,
and continues to
stand today.
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Entoto Mariam Church
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National Theatre
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Patriots Memorial (Arat kilo)
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Taitu Hotel
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Abune Petros Memorial:
Just West of
Addis Ababa's
impressive City
Hall, down the
hill on the main
road to the
Merkato district
is Abune Petros
Square with it's
imposing statue.
Abune Petros,
the Ethiopian
Orthodox Bishop
of Wello who was
executed by the
Italians at the
edge of this
very square.
Abune Petros was
one of the four
first native
Ethiopians who
were anointed as
bishops by the
Coptic Patriarch
of Alexandria to
serve under the
Coptic born
Archbishop Abune
Kerllos of
Ethiopia in
1932. Abune
Petros was given
the province of
Wello as his
diocese. In
1936, the
Fascist armies
of Benito
Mussolini
occupied much of
Ethiopia, and
Abune Petros
traveled to the
northern Shewan
district of Menz
to join the sons
of Ras Kassa,
Dejazmatches
Wondwossen,
Abera and Asfa
Wossen Kassa and
other resistance
leaders to plan
an attack on the
Italians to
drive them out
of Addis Ababa.
The attack
failed in 1937,
and the Bishop
was captured.
Defiantly
refusing to
submit to
Italian rule, he
was condemned to
death. Shortly
before his
execution Abune
Petros Bishop of
Wello, dressed
in his clerical
robes, held up
his hand cross
and pronounced
his anathema on
the people and
on the very
earth of
Ethiopia itself,
if they were
ever to submit
to the invader.
He was then shot
to death in
front of a
horrified
audience.
Emperor Haile
Selassie had the
statue erected
in the memory of
this great
Bishop upon his
restoration to
the throne. The
spot of his
execution on the
western edge of
this square is
also marked by a
memorial slab.
Sadly, during
the brutal rule
of the Dergue
regime, the
bodies of many
victims of the
"Red Terror"
were displayed
in this square.
Mercato:
The Mercato is located in western Addis Ababa and is one of the
largest markets in Africa offering an array of colors, aromas,
costumes, produce and jewellery. Beware of pickpockets. In Mercato
virtually every
possible commodity
is on sale, from
livestock to
computers.
Entity is the mountain range that rises to the north of Addis and
is easily accessible from the city. This is where Menelik started
his first capital, and the
Church of
Entonto Mariam
where he was crowned can still be visited At the top of the hill
is the Church of Entonto Raguel which offers stunning views.
Accommodation
Government
owned hotels
The Ghion,
Ethiopia,
Wabe Shebelle, Africa, Harambee, Ras and National hotels may have
restrictions on unmarried couples sharing rooms. Government hotels
can be booked through the NTO or the head office of the hotel
chain.
The Ghion Group manages the Ghion, the Taitu and the National
hotels Tel. 513222, Fax 515381.
The Ras Group manages the Ras,
Nile and the
Africa hotels, Tel. 517060, Fax 51533.
The Wabe Shebelle Group manages the Wabe Shebelle and the Maskal
Flower hotels, T517187.
The Ethiopian group manages the Harambee,
Ethiopia and
Tourist hotels Tel. 517400. Buffet de la Gare is the best value in
town.
Top Range
Addis Ababa Hilton, very central on Menelik Ave, Tel. 518400,
Fax 510064, Tx21104. Luxury accommodation with comprehensive
business and recreations facilities
Sheraton
Addis
very central on Yohanis St, Tel. 517138, Fax 514029, reservations
Tel. 517138
Africa, Dejazmach World Mikael St, Tel. 517060/447385
Carrera Lodge, Roosevelt St, PO Box 6273, Tel. 755144/754499.
Ethiopia, Yohannes Ave near Churchill Rd, Tel. 5117400/447400,
Telex 221072. Located in business and commercial district
Ghion, very central on Menelik Ave, close to Revolution Square,
Tel. 513222/443170, Telex 21112
Guenet, Beyene Merid St, Tel. 518125, older style
Harambee, Taitu St, Tel. 517400/154000/154327/154226/154457, Telex
21072
lbex, Bole Rd, Tel. 654400. New, comfortable hotel
National, Menelik Ave, Tel. 513222/155166, Telex 21112
Blue Nile, Ras Mekonin Ave, Tel. 517060.
Ras,
Churchill Rd,
Tel. 517060/447060, Telex 21485. Just north of railway station,
very popular and one of the oldest hotels in Addis
Wabe Shebelle, Ras Abebe Aragay St, Tel. 515187/447187/90.
Medium
Range
Axum, Asmara Rd, PO Box 40318, Tel. 188832.
Balu, near Piazza. Good value.
Buffet de la Gare, near station, PO Box 2381, Tel. 517888/517125,
Fax 515959 Good location,.
Maskal Flower Hotel, adjacent to the Debre Zeit Road, Tel. 517187.
Central, good value.
Tourist, near
Grand
Palace
and Trinity Cathederal. Popular.
Lower Range
Filwoha Hotel, Tel. 511404. Near the hot springs.
Fin-Fin Hotel, opposite the Filwoha
Hawi,
Debre Zeit Rd, south
of the city centre.
Holidar Hotel,
Asmara Rd,
near the Plaza Hotel. Good value.
Yordanos Hotel,
Asmara Rd,
Tel. 515711, Fax 516655, PO Box 1647. Recommended.
Bel Air Hotel, off
Queen Elizabeth St,
near Ras Ambas Hotel allows camping.
Debre Damo, Asmara Rd.Good value.
Where to
Eat
Addis
Tsegenet, Wabe Shebelle Hotel,
Ras Abebe Aragay St,
Tel. 447187/90. Roof-top location, on l1th floor, good views
Abiata Restaurant, Wabe Shebelle Hotel, Ras Abebe Aragay St,
International cuisine. Addis Ababa Restaurant, Weatherall St.
Traditional Ethiopian food
Casino Restaurant, Ghion Hotel, Menelik Ave, International cuisine
and flambe nights on Friday and Saturday in gardens.
China Bar, off Ras Mekonin Ave. Chinese cuisine
Fin-Fin Hotel,
Atse Yohannes Ave,
near the Hilton Hotel. Ethiopian cuisine
Ghion Restaurant, Ghion Hotel, Menelik Ave. International cuisine.
Harar Grill, Addis Ababa Hilton, Menelik Ave, French cuisine.
Jacaranda, Addis Ababa Hilton Menelik Ave. Italian and Mexican
food.
Lambardo, on Ras Abebe Aregay Ave. Italian food
Cottage Restaurant & Pub, near the Harambee Hotel on Desta Demtew
Ave Swiss food.
Lalibela, Ras Desta Ave. International cuisine.
Entertainments
Cinema:
Mainly American, Indian and Arabic films are shown.
Ambassador Theatre, near National Theatre and Harambee Hotel on
Atse Ave.
Cinema Ethiopia, near Piazza.
Theatre:
National Theatre on
Churchill Rd
near the Ethiopia Hotel has regular traditional dance and music
1600-1800 on Thursday.
City hall, at the north end of Churchill Rd
Nightclubs:
Concord Nightclub on Concord Ave. Very popular.
3M Club at Carrera Lodge Hotel, on Roosevelt St to the southwest
of the centre. Live bands at weekends.
Ghion Nightclub, on
Menelik Ave,
close to Revolution square.
The Tunnel, on Churchill north of Ras Hotel.
Sport:
Swimming: at Ghion Hotel, and at Hilton Hotel.
Tennis: at Ghion Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Guenet Hotel, Taitu Hotel.
Horse racing: at Jan Meda, Tel.112540. Northeast of the city
centre off Muluetsa St Soccer: at Addis Ababa Stadium on Ras Desta
Damtew Ave. There are games on most Thursday evenings and on
Saturday and Sunday.
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Addis Ababa airport runway
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Addis Ababa airport Terminal
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Transport
Bus:
For bus journeys to the regions it is necessary to buy a ticket
the day before departure. Bus station ticket office opens at 0800,
and to be certain of booking you should arrival by 0700
Red and yellow Ambasa buses operate within the city, stopping at
every red and yellow marking. There is a flat fare per person for
a one way trip.
Taxi:
Cream coloured National Tour Operator taxis operate at Bale
International Airport. There is also a minibus service from the
airport.
Private taxi service operates in the smaller blue and white cars
along set routes, often on vehicle sharing basis.
Air:
Ethiopian Airways connects with many European destinations and
with 23 African cities In addition there are direct flights by
Abyssinian Airlines, Alitalia, Aeroflot, British Airlines, Egypt
Air, Lufthansa, Interflug, KLM
Royal Dutch Airlines,
Sudan Airways, Yemenian and
Kenyan Airways. Internal flights with Ethiopian Airlines and
Abyssinian Airlines
are
efficient and cheap.
Train:
A 782 kilometre railway connects Addis with Djibouti on the Red
Sea. The trains from Addis Ababa leave daily at around 0700 and
1930, arriving in Djibouti approximately 24 hours later. The main
stop is at Dire Dawa, a bit over half way. Booking is at the
railway station at the southern end of Churchill Rd. It necessary
to make a reservation as the train is often full. Road
Buses to and from the regions are frequent. However the road s are
in poor condition, so allow for extra journey time. The main bus
terminal is at Merkato while a second bus station is near the
railway station on Ras Mekonin Ave with frequent services to
nearby destinations such as Debre Zeit, Mojo and Nazret.
Airlines:
Air Djibouti,
Tel. 157322. Air France Tel. 19044. Air Tanzania Corporation, Tel.
15753. Alitalia, P. O. Box 3240, Tel. 154640. Ethiopian Airlines
has 3 offices in City centre near National Theatre on Churchill
Ave ( this office for internal flights, which have to be paid for
in US$ cash Tel. 447000). The head office is at the airport Tel.
512222/612222. Kenya Airways, P.O. Box 3381 T 443018. Lufthansa,
P.O.Box 2484, new Insurance building, Churchill Rd.
Banks
Commercial
Bank of Ethiopia at airport.
Commercial bank of Ethiopia Churchill Rd.
National Bank of
Ethiopia Churchill Rd.
Postal and
Communication Services
Post Office
on Churchill Ave near Adua square, open 0800-1600.
Telephone Calls can made through the telecommunications Head
Office opposite Holy Saviour church. Telex, telegram and fax
service are also available from here, and from the main Post
Office on Churchill Rd. Collect calls can be made. Most of the
larger hotels have telex and telegram facilities.
Hospitals
and
Medical
Services
Black Lion
Hospital on Churchill Rd behind Tiglachin monument.
Ethio-Swedish Clinic, Tel.449933.
Pharmacies.
City Council runs a number of inexpensive public pharmacies. There
is one next to the National Tour Operation head office, near Ghion
Hotel off Menelik Ave, on Ras Dista Deneten St. It stocks some
imported medicines. There is also a pharmacy in Hilton Hotel.
Tour and
Travel companies
In addition
to the state-owned National Tour Operation, there are several
private tour and travel agencies.
Alfa Travels,
PO Box 4263,Tel. 511177,
Al-tad Travels,
PO Box 1223, Tel. 513755, Fax 515244,
Distance Travel Agency,
PO Box 70186,
Tel. 151715, Fax 515963.
Eastern Travel and Tourist Agency, PO Box 1136,Tel. 511574, Fax
511468.
more Tour Operators.
or more
Travel agencies.
Tourists Informations
Ethiopian
Tourist Commission, on the corner of Desta Damtew St/Abiot Square,
PO Box 5709, Tel. 5514838/5512923. There is also a branch in Addis Ababa
Hilton, Tel. 158400, Telex 21104, Menelik Ave open daily.
The Department of Natural Resources, just off Africa Ave (the road
towards Bole).
Sells a range of information sheets and maps for many of the
national parks, for just a nominal charge. |