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The Church on Ethiopia Street

A glimpse into Ethiopian Christian institutions in the New City

Some Important Details

  • תאריכון

    Date and Time

    Hebrew only:

    Friday, 1/5 | 9:00am–10:30am, 11:00am–12:30pm
    Saturday, 2/5 | 10:00am–11:30am, 12:00pm–1:30pm

  • מחיר

    Cost

    50 NIS
    45 NIS for Senior citizens

  • Difficulty and Accessibility

    Not accessible
    Difficulty level: Easy

  • מדריך

    Guide

    Dr. Benny Furst

In the late 19th century, members of the Ethiopian Christian community began establishing institutions outside the Old City walls, purchasing land for housing and developing religious and social activity in the city center. Particularly notable was the establishment of a large building that served as a diplomatic consulate, making Ethiopia the only African country with representation in Jerusalem.

On this tour we will pass the façade of the palace of Empress Taitu, wife of Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia, who built a magnificent structure that for decades housed the studios of Kol Yisrael radio. From there we continue to the Ethiopian consulate building, which once represented the only African state with diplomatic status in the League of Nations. We will see the first building of the Bezalel Academy of Arts, which leased the structure from the Ethiopian community. We conclude with a visit to the impressive Ethiopian church in the Debre Genet (“Mount of Paradise”) monastery complex on Ethiopia Street, where we will hear the story of Haile Selassie, the last Ethiopian emperor, marking 90 years since his visit to Jerusalem.

Meeting point: Heleni HaMalka Street & Monbaz Street corner
End point: Ethiopia Street 11

Tickets purchased on the website can be canceled, provided the cancellation is made no later than 4 business days before the scheduled activity. Cancellations will only be accepted in writing via email at [email protected]

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