Overview
A day trip to Tiya and Adadi offers a fascinating journey into Ethiopia’s ancient history and cultural heritage. Located south of Addis Ababa, these two sites are home to remarkable archaeological and historical landmarks, including ancient stelae fields and rock-hewn churches. This trip is perfect for history enthusiasts, culture lovers, and those interested in exploring Ethiopia’s rich past.
Itinerary
Depart from Addis Ababa early in the morning around 7:00am and drive south to Tiya, approximately 85km from Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, your guide will provide an overview of the Tiya Stelae Field, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and about its historical significance.
Tiya Stelae is a collection of ancient stone stelae (monoliths) dating back to the 12 th -14th centuries. The stelae are intricately carved with symbols and markings, believed to represent burial sites of an ancient culture. Learn about the mysteries surrounding these stelae and their significance in Ethiopian history. Have lunch at local restaurant.
After lunch break, drive to Adadi Mariam to visit one of the few rock-hewn churches in the vicinity of Addis Ababa, dating back to the 13th century. Explore the church's unique architecture, carved entirely out of a single rock, and learn about its religious and historical importance. Witness the spiritual atmosphere and the surrounding countryside.
Visit the small village of Adadi Mariam and interact with local communities to gain insights into rural Ethiopian culture and learn about their way of life, traditions, and
connection to the historical sites.
Late afternoon, begin your journey back to Addis Ababa enjoying a picturesque drive through the Ethiopian countryside, passing through rural villages, farmlands, and rolling hills. You will arrive back in the city by early evening, with memories of a day filled with history and culture. End of the tour.
Price Includes
- All transfers and ground transportation with fuel and driver allowance
- All entrance fees according to the program
- Bottles of drinking water throughout the tour
- Multilingual professional guide
Price Excludes
- Lunch and Dinner
- Alcoholic drinks
- Any other expenses which are not mentioned under what’s included section
FAQs
The stelae, mansions and first churches were built during Aksum’s rise as the capital of the Aksumite Kingdom. They represent the wealth, craftsmanship, and organizational skills from the Aksumites at the crossroads of Africa, Arabia and the Greco-Roman world.
The stelae of Tiya have carvings representing swords and various enigmatic signs quite unlike those of other regions. The tradition of erecting megalithic monuments is very ancient in Ethiopia; some date from before our era. The site of Tiya is inscribed in the World Heritage List
Few of them were removed from the site and can be seen in the main campus of Addis Ababa University 6kilo, erected near the Institute of Ethiopian Studies (IES). Most of Tiya monuments measure a height between a meter and 3 meter though the largest one is about five meters, including its section underground.
