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43-493: The complex of buildings includes Fasilides' castle, Iyasu I 's palace, Dawit III 's Hall, Empress Mentewab 's castle, a chancellery and library from Yohannes I , a banqueting hall from the emperor Bakaffa , stables , and three churches: Asasame Qeddus Mikael, Elfign Giyorgis and Gemjabet Mariyam. The origins of the Fasil Ghebbi is preceded by old tradition of Ethiopian emperors traveling around their possessions, living off

86-463: A fortress-like appearance and were often embellished by paintings and illuminated manuscripts, which were usually made for the churches and nobles. According to a Yemeni ambassador, Hassan ibn Ahmad al-Haymi who visited the palace in 1648 when it was only a few years old, the architect behind the edifice of Fasilides was an Indian named Abdal Kerim who had previously worked on the palace of Emperor Susenyos I at Danqaz. The Royal Chronicles report that

129-806: A large number of his father's former subjects, the Kordidas , a largely Amhara group who wished to free themselves from Oromo rule and return to Christianity, the religion of their ancestors. The group made Iyasu promise them that if and when he came to the throne he would help them achieve this ambition. Not long after this Iyasu reconciled with his father. On 15 July 1682, the ailing Emperor Yohannes I made Iyasu his successor. The dignitaries witnessing Yohannes I final proclamation were Kanafero and Za-Wald (both Azzaz ), basha Lesana Krestos , blattengeta Akala Krestos , dejazmach 's Anestasyos and Delba Iyasus , and fitawrari Fesseha Krestos among others. Yohannes I died on 19 July 1682 and Iyasu ascended

172-615: A member of the Solomonic dynasty . Described as the last “great” Gondarine monarch, Iyasu temporarily halted the trend of decline through his brilliance as a military leader, reestablishing control over rebellious vassals and conquering areas to the south of his domain. In addition to his military and political exploits, Iyasu was a patron of architecture, arts and literature. He also attempted to settle doctrinal differences within Ethiopia's Coptic Church, but without long-lasting success. Iyasu

215-452: A month. Bruce writes that Iyasu was buried on Mitraha Island , where he was shown Iyasu's body interred amongst "the bodies of all his ancestors". Once his brother Tewoflos became Emperor, he initiated Iyasu's canonization. The political history of Gondar after the assassination of Iyasu I is that of a fairly steady decline. The power of the monarchy was weakened by frequent coups d'etat: no fewer than twenty-five emperors were deposed in

258-618: A prince years ago. The Kordidas were suffering under Oromo rule, and begged the then prince to assist their return to the Christian fold once he became Emperor. This happened when he marched south to Dara, where he took many of the Tulama Oromos prisoner. He then freed the Kordidas, no less than hundred thousand of whom, accompanied by their women and children, are reported to have entered his camp singing and dancing with joy. This figure, if correct,

301-548: A settlement near the Lake Tana shore. The cause of her death (either killed or succumbed to illness) in 1705 is disputed by the sources. It was however a turning point in Iyasu's life, and a precursor to events that led to his abdication and then murder. Another concubine mentioned by the sources is Maryamawit the mother of Emperor Bakaffa . Stuart Munro-Hay Stuart Christopher Munro-Hay (21 April 1947 – 14 October 2004)

344-522: A smaller round tower at the northeast corner and traces of a square tower at the northwest corner "most of which has collapsed." The interior of the building is a single long hall, which "the usual arched windows and doorways provided light and access". As of 2002, Dawit's Hall lacks a roof. Fasil Ghebbi is enclosed by a 900-metre-long (3,000 ft) curtain wall which is pierced by twelve gates. These are, in counter-clockwise order: Fit Ber (also called Jan Tekle Ber) opening onto Adababay; Wember Ber (Gate of

387-681: A student and collaborator of Neville Chittick , he worked on the 1973-74 excavation project of the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) in Aksum , the capital of the late-antique Aksumite Empire . The excavations had to be cancelled due to the Derg 's coup d'état in 1974, but Munro-Hay continued to dedicate his work to researching the history of Aksum, and in particular compiled a large collection of Aksumite coins. He completed his doctorate in 1978 at

430-579: A year before marching beyond southern Gojjam in a punitive expedition against the Agaws who had supported the rebels. In 1688, he led a campaign in Dera , passing through Woremo against a rebellion in the Tulama country. The leader of the rebellion, a native of Debre Werq was captured after a pitched battle in a narrow defile, and condemned by a tribunal of ecclesiastics. Iyasu carried out his first expedition against

473-410: Is considered one of the most important tourist destinations in the country. Fasil Ghebbi covers an area of about 70,000 square metres (750,000 sq ft). To its south lies Adababay, the marketplace of the city of Gondar, where imperial proclamations were made, troops presented, and criminals executed; it is currently a city park. Dawit's Hall is in the northern part of the enclosure, adjacent to

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516-650: The Kordidas Amharas in 1681 to the Talatas in 1695, aligned themselves with Iyasu's government, in hope of securing succour from the monarch. In 1689, Iyasu's Armenian trade agent, Khodja Murad told the Dutch in Batavia that the king of Hadiya had ‘‘submitted of his own free will to the rule of Abyssinia .’’ after suffering defeats and pressures by Oromos. The chief of Hadiya ‘‘together with his entire people’’ had ‘‘embraced

559-583: The Ottoman Naib of Massawa attempted to levy a tax on Iyasu's goods that had landed at Massawa, he responded with a blockade of that island city until the Naib relented. Solomon Getahun observes that "unlike his immediate predecessors, Iyasu's tenure was noted for endeavors to establish diplomatic ties with Christian monarchies like Louis XIV of France and Ethiopian delegates had been sent to foreign countries." In 1689, an embassy, led by an Armenian named Murad

602-554: The Shankella in 1688, when, advancing by way of Metekel he attacked the ‘‘Shankella town’’ of Gisa. He set fire to it, killed many of its inhabitants, and led away not a few slaves, besides numerous cattle. He proceeded to Gorsi, another ‘‘Shankella town’’, where he also captured many male and female slaves. He advanced next to what the chronicle refers to as the ‘‘rebel country’’ of Wambarya , which had defied three previous rulers, Susenyos , Fasilides and Yohannes I . Killing two of

645-575: The Christian religion’’, and married ‘‘a certain princess from the dynasty of the Abyssinian emperors.’’ Iyasu I also had a separate squadron of soldiers from the Beta Israel and units of Wellag soldiers under his command. In the second year of his reign, he confronted an invasion of the Wollo Oromo into Amhara , defeating them at Melka Shimfa . In 1684, Iyasu despatched scouts to areas under

688-466: The Fasil Ghebbi in the late 1950s, Thomas Pakenham observed that "dotted among the palaces are what remains of the pavilions and kiosks of the imperial city". A large number of the buildings at Fasil Ghebbi did not survive the events of the time, but the place is still rich in buildings that were renovated both by the Italian occupiers in the late 1930s and after Ethiopia regained its independence. The site

731-570: The Gifts); Inqoye Ber (Gate of Princess Inqoye, the mother of Empress Mentewab ; and Gimjabet Mariyam Ber (Gate of the Treasury of Mary), which leads to the churchyard of Gimjabet Mariyam church. Iyasu I Iyasu I ( Ge'ez : ኢያሱ ፩; 1654 – 13 October 1706), throne name Adyam Sagad (Ge'ez: አድያም ሰገድ), also known as Iyasu the Great , was Emperor of Ethiopia from 19 July 1682 until his death in 1706, and

774-665: The Great: In 1705, while he was campaigning in Ennarea against the Oromo. Iyasu learned that his favorite concubine, Kedeste Kristos was suffering from a terrible illness, he abandoned his campaign and returned to Gojjam where he found her already dead. Stricken with grief, he retired to an island in Lake Tana . In 1706, supported by the scheming concubine Malakotawit , some of the officials argued, that he had abdicated, and crowned his son Tekle Haymanot Emperor. According to some accounts, this

817-568: The Judges); Tazkaro Ber (Gate of Funeral Commemoration), which had a bridge destroyed by fighting during the reign of Iyasu II ; Azaj Tequre Ber (Gate of Azaj Tequre), which once was connected by a bridge to Adababay Tekle Haymanot church; Adenager Ber (Gate of the Spinners), which was linked by a bridge to Qeddus Rafael church in the weaver's section of Gondar; Qwali Ber (Gate of the Queen's Attendants), next to

860-579: The London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), supervised by the then BIEA chairman Laurence Kirwan , his thesis was titled A Reappraisal of the History and Development of the Aksumite State from Numismatic and Archaeological Evidence . Munro-Hay taught at the universities of Khartoum (1977–1980), Nairobi (1980–1982), Edinburgh (1983–84) and Cambridge (1985–1987). He was then employed by

903-522: The Wechales, and so afraid of passing through the latter's burning fields, that they were unable to offer any resistance. The Emperor pillaged their area, killed many of their soldiers, and seized many women, and large herds of cattle. After Qegnazmach Wale of Damot and Tabdan the Hermit proclaimed Yeshaq emperor in his fourth year (1685), Iyasu quickly suppressed this revolt, and captured Yeshaq, then waited

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946-559: The building attributed to Bakaffa and the church of Asasame Qeddus Mikael. Often referred to as the "House of Song", Stuart Munro-Hay notes that this may be due to a misreading of the Amharic zofan bet ("House of the Divan" or "House of the Throne") as zafan bet ("House of Song"). Munro-Hay describes it as a "substantial one-storey building with a round tower at the south-east corner", with traces of

989-479: The century and a half between Iyasu I and Tewodros II . In September 1683, Iyasu married Walatta Seyon , a native from the northern region of Hamasien , located in modern day Eritrea . They had a son and a daughter. Walatta Seyon died in May 1693. She was Iyasu's only wife by marriage. Iyasu's numerous offspring (including four of his sons who became emperors) were children of his concubines. One of them, Malakotawit

1032-496: The chiefs of Tigray, and interrogated them on the taxes then exacted at the customs posts (also known as the Kella system ) . This led to decrease of taxes, and tax exemptions for small merchants, which encouraged trade. The monarch declared that anyone attempting to tax them would have his property confiscated, and be punishable by death. Iyasu I ordered the chiefs, and the location of all Tigray Kella, be announced by herald, and recorded in

1075-463: The city historically important. Within the capital, Fasilides ordered the construction of an imposing edifice, the Fasil Ghebbi or Fasilides castle. Subsequent emperors such as Yohannes I , Iyasu I and Dawit III built their own structures in the same imperial compound, expanding the enclosure considerably. The buildings were of brown basalt with ornament of local wine-coloured tuff. The palaces had

1118-555: The control of Oromos. Scouts returning from Wollo Province informed Iyasu. The Emperor, after consulting his advisers, decided to proceed to Wollo. Before doing so, however, he sent his commander, Ras Anestasyos , to confront another nearby Oromo group, the Wechales , who lived west of Wollo. Iyasu then carried out his main assault on the Oromos living in Wollo, who were so terrified by the fate of

1161-534: The death of his eldest brother Yostos in June 1676, Iyasu inherited the governorship over Semien . In 1677–1678, he accompanied his father on a military campaign against the region of Lasta . Iyasu fell out with his father in 1681, and according to the chronicles, the prince and his followers crossed the Blue Nile and found refuge in pagan controlled areas. At a place called Bete Walato, in Oromo occupied territory, Iyasu met

1204-464: The edifices of Yohannes I and Iyasu I where built by an Ethiopian architect named Walda Giyorgis, who was described as "able, intelligent, and of good renown." The manual labor was primarily supplied by the local Ethiopian Jews ( Beta Israel ), particularly the Kayla clan who traditionally worked as masons, metalsmiths and carpenters, occupations seen in low repute by the general population. Al-Haymi, who

1247-504: The enemy, one with a rifle and the other with a spear, Iyasu reportedly wrought further destruction, killing many of his adversaries, and taking tremendous loot. He then crossed the Dura river, where the Shankella, on seeing the size of his forces and the number of his fire-arms, fled, and ‘‘disappeared like smoke’’. In 1689, Iyasu delivered on the promise he had made to the Kordidas , while still

1290-880: The modern entrance to Elfin Giyorgis church inside the Enclosure; Imbilta Ber (Gate of the Musicians); Elfign Ber (Gate of the Privy Chamber), which gave access to the private apartments of the Fasil Ghebbi; Balderas Ber (Gate of the Commander of the Cavalry); Ras Ber (Gate of the Ras ), also known as Qwarenyoch Ber (Gate of the Qwara people); Ergeb Ber (Gate of Pigeons), also known as Kechin Ashawa Ber (Gate of

1333-485: The produce of the peasants and dwelling in tents. Reflecting this connection, this precinct was frequently referred to as a katama ("camp" or "fortified settlement") or makkababya , the name applied to the imperial camp in the Royal Chronicle of Baeda Maryam . Emperor Fasilides broke with this tradition of progressing through the territories, and founded the city of Gondar as his capital; its relative permanence makes

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1376-525: The public square of Gondar ), matters of state, and to proclaim laws. In the late 17th century, Iyasu I established the Lewa ; the first separate armed force with police functions. Its duties were to keep public order in the towns and on the roads. In 1698, after reports of extortion suffered by merchants, Iyasu I reasserted his control over the growing lawlessness in the Tigray province . In November, Iyasu I summoned

1419-514: The royal chronicle. Iyasu I strengthen his control over his southern domains through his alliance with two influential Amhara warlords, Demetros of Merhabete and Negasi of Menz . Having accepted the suzerainty of their northern monarch, Demetros was granted the old imperial title of Sahafe Lam while Negasi was honoured in Gondar with pomp and circumstance receiving gifts from the Emperor. It

1462-458: The throne, with the serag masare Malkea Krestos putting the crown on his head. The Tsehafi Taezaz 's Hawarya Krestos and Walda Haymanot sent sealed letters to various countries to announce the death of Yohannes I , and that the reign of his son Iyasu I has begun. His reign is noteworthy for the attention he devoted to administration, holding a large number of councils to settle theological and ecclesiastical matters (the first in 1684, in

1505-602: Was a British archaeologist , numismatist and Ethiopianist . He studied the culture and history of ancient Ethiopia , the Horn of Africa region and South Arabia , particularly their history of coins. Born in Northern Ireland , he was initially called Stuart Christopher H. McIlwrath , but took his mother's maiden name after his parents separated. Munro-Hay studied Egyptology at the University of Liverpool from 1970 to 1974. As

1548-624: Was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, which stated in its decision that it faithfully represents modern Ethiopian civilization at north of Lake Tana which appeared in the early 17th century and influenced Ethiopian architecture for many years. Fasil Ghebbi also includes the Fasilides Baths, a construction which is also attributed to Emperor Fasilides, and the Imperial Complex  [ am ] of Empress Mentewab in Kuskam, which

1591-469: Was deposed by his own son Tekle Haymanot I in 1706 and assassinated by the relatives of one of his concubines. A series of ineffectual emperors followed and imperial power declined until the advent of Tewodros II in the middle of the nineteenth century. Of Amhara descent, Iyasu I was the son of Emperor Yohannes I by his wife Sabla Wangel. Iyasu's siblings were brothers Yostos, Tewoflos and Gelawdewos, and sisters Amlakawit and Eleni . After

1634-650: Was during his reign that individual Oromo first found service in the Imperial court. In 1704, Iyasu I settled various Oromo groups who accepted Amhara culture, adopted the Amharic language, and converted to Christianity such as the Gawe on the north bank of the Abbay as a bulwark against attacks by other hostile Oromos living south of the Abbay. Several ethnic groups suffering from persecution and raids in Oromo occupied territories, from

1677-492: Was greatly impressed with the palace, describes it as a great house of stone and lime and "one of marvellous of buildings, worthy of admiration, and the most beautiful of outstanding wonders." The palace served as the residence of the royal family, an Armenian in Ethiopian imperial service Khoja Murad , visited the imperial palace in 1696 and claimed that they were at least 80 royal children who "ran around indiscriminately". Visiting

1720-482: Was not Iyasu's intent, and he marched from his hermitage in Lake Tana towards to Gondar to protest this; in any case, during this time he fell sick and was assassinated at Tekle Haymanot's orders by his maternal uncle's, Dermen and Pawlos . Iyasu's death caused much distress in the capital, especially amongst the priests of Debre Berhan Selassie, who openly displayed his gifts to them, and mourned their dead monarch for

1763-419: Was one of the main co-conspirators behind Iyasu's abdication and later assassination. Emperor Tewoflos ordered a prosecution of all those who participated in the conspiracy against Iyasu, his brother. On 13 October 1708, Malakotawit and her brothers ( Dermen and Pawlos ) were executed. Iyasu's favorite concubine was Qeddesta Krestos ; with whom he had five children. Qeddesta was a native from Bahrkanta ,

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1806-725: Was sent to Batavia, Dutch East Indies . One of the benefits of these efforts was that Emperor Iyasu received a bell from Johannes Camphuys , governor of the Dutch East Indies , which was then donated to Debre Berhan Selassie Church in Gondar. This also led to the visit by a French physician, Charles Jacques Poncet , who traveled to the Empire to treat Iyasu and one of his sons. Poncet arrived at Gondar 21 July 1699 and stayed until September 1700. Poncet published an account of his visit to Paris in 1704, which included his personal impression of Iyasu

1849-566: Was truly immense in view of the country's small population at the time. In 1692, the king undertook an expedition in the Mareb river valley, against the Dubani, or Nara , in present-day Gash Barka . At the sound of the musket, the tribesmen were terrified and fled. In 1704, emperor Iyasu I campaigned south of Abay in the kingdom of Ennarea , where he was confronted with a civil war between two throne claimants. His Royal Chronicle recounts how when

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