Gondar Period

Emperor Fasiladas' Castle in Gondar

During the time of the Portuguese travels in the Ethiopian region (1520 - 1527 CE), Gondar was but little more than a small village community of peasants and military composts. For in the 1520's it showed absolutely no sign of any advancement to come, neither from any growing form of economy nor a strategic establishment of any significance. However, by 1630 it possessed not only the thrown of the ruling family in Abyssinia, but also the renaissance culture of the liturgy and artistry, which is recognized as the beginning of its modern form in Ethiopia.

Gondar possessed a route to the exotic regions south of the Blue Nile and to the then northern and western trade routes, which led to Massawa and Sudan. Gondar had by 1630 become the catalyst of growth and production in Abyssinia. It was a great religious center and flourished immensely in the arts.

The creation of Gondar is credited to Fasiladas the Great (1632-67), son of emperor Susenyos (1607-32), and it was also he who built the first of the castle-palaces, for which the city is famous today.

At the end of the 18th century, the stability and effectiveness of the Gondar kings began to weaken. After one of the great kings was murdered by his son, the credit of the monarchy itself declined. Soon afterwards the empire began to breakup as territorial governors refused to obey the king. As a result the country became a prey to intrigues and rebellions.