Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with FacebookLatest Addis Ababa hotel reviews
Helpfulness
The Lion of Judah Statue stands in front of office buildings in central Addis Ababa. The statue was stolen by the Italians during their occupation of the city from 1936-1941. It is now a major landmark. Althought the statue is not spectacular, it has a great symbolic value. The lion is the symbol of heroism and resistance to Ethiopians.
Updated Jul 13, 2010
Helpfulness
The Lion of Judah is the personal symbol of Emperor Haile Selassie I. This monument was one of several unveiled for the Emperor’s coronation in 1930 in Addis Ababa. In May 1936 the invading Italian army occupied Addis Ababa and began to make plans to seize the monuments they liked to send back as spoils of war to Rome. They demolished several monuments to Emperor Menelik. The Lion of Judea, despite weighing several tons, was shipped of to Rome and erected next to the large white Vittorio Emanuelle Monument in time for the 4th anniversary of the declaration of the New (Fascist) Italian Empire. A young Eritrean named Zerai Deres was marching in a parade when he realised he was looking at the looted monument, the personal symbol of his Emperor. The young man attacked and killed at least one Italian military officer with a ceremonial sword he was carrying. Deres was finally subdued and killed. From that day he has been known as an Ethiopian Patriot.
The statue was repatriated in the 1960’s while Emperor Haile Selassie was still in power. It is made from black granite, so it’s very dark. No, it’s not my camera. There are images in relief of Haile Selassie and Emperors Menelik II.
Updated Jan 17, 2008
Website: http://realethiopia.com/cities/addis-ababa/addis-ababa.html
Helpfulness
The great Lion of Judah is the seal of the Emperor of Ethiopia. It was found in the centre of the national tri-color flag until it was replaced in the 80s by the military Derg's coat of arms and then in the 90s by the judaic yellow pentagram.
For all purposes the Lion remains the emblem of Haile Selassie as he marches eastwards. Two stone replicas I found while walking around Addis is a smaller one in the front courtyard of the Railway Station and another Larger Leo halfway down Churchill Avenue in front of a commercial bank (on left as you walk away from rail station)... They are indeed great iconic photos and emblems of Ethiopia..
Updated Nov 29, 2006
Address: railway Station & @Churchill
1 - 3 of 3
Sponsored Links
Sheraton Addis Addis Ababa
10 Reviews and 174 Opinions While I didn't stay here, I called in to view the grounds and hotel. Impressive place, with bars,...
Taitu Hotel Addis Ababa
7 Reviews and 35 Opinions I stayed there 2 nights in Jan 2008. Everything was full booked around so I decided to try my luck...
Jupiter International Hotel Addis Ababa
2 Reviews and 70 Opinions Jupiter International Hotel review ( near Bole rd in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - In thirty years of...
The Lion of Judah tips and photos posted by real travelers and Addis Ababa locals.
Write a ReviewThe great Lion of Judah is the seal of the Emperor of Ethiopia. It was found in the centre of the national tri-color flag until it was replaced in the 80s by...
68 members live in Addis Ababa
Q: 2 questions... - I've emailed the Jupiter International Cazanchise looking for a booking, but no reply after 3 weeks; any...
A: Iain, I don’t know your hotel, but I remember when I was planning to go to Addis, I had big problems for booking a medium range hotel with internet. I took the only...
Read 5 Replies
1
ADDIS - THE NEW FLOWER OF ETHIOPIA
Addis Ababa means ‘New Flower’. Emperor Menelik II ordered that his new capital be built here because it was malaria free, had fertile soil, water and wood for building. Today this is a metropolis of...
2
I love cities with meaningful names
Founded more than a century ago to be stablished as capital of the Ethiopian country, Addis does not look at first as a "new flower". It is indeed a chaotic dusty city but in the other hand it is a......
3
My expectation was fulfiled after a visit to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Addis is so exciting and full of contrast. It's cheap to stay there, the city is full of culture and I felt safe. The...
4
Addis Ababa: A City of Belief & Disbelief
Ethiopia is an ancient land with rich history and cultural heritage. Ethiopians of every ethnic race or region are proud of their land. My visit to Addis Ababa in April 2009, came after years of...
5
During my trip of 5 weeks in Ethiopia I had only two short stays in the capital. Being in Addis Abeba, I didn't have the feeling to be in a 5.000.000 million city. Addis Abeba is a mix of the past......
Build your own Addis Ababa page
Sponsored Links
