Gondar is often referred to as Gonder and was formerly known as Gʷandar, or Gʷender. It is not far north of Lake Tana and it was the capital of Ethiopia from its foundation by Emperor Fasilides in 1632 until the fall of Theodore in 1886.
The city has traditionally been divided into several distinct neighborhoods.
There are many castles and palaces in the city, built by various emperors. The main castle is the Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure) from which the emperors once reigned. It was founded in 1640 and it is inscribed in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. Gondar's most famous buildings all lie within the enclosure. They include Fasilides' castle, Iyasu's palace, Dawit's Hall, a banqueting hall, stables, Empress Mentewab's castle, a chancellery, a library and three churches. The Palace of Ras Beit was built in the 18th century and has been in use since.
Just outside Gonder on the road to Bahir Dar, you will find the Bath of Fasilides, where, during an annual ceremony, it is blessed and then opened for bathing. Also outside of Gondar are the so-called House of Chickens and the Palace of Kusquam, which is now in ruins. Not far are a monastery and the Church of Debre Birhan Selassie with its famous murals.
The Qusquam complex was built by Empress Mentewab. Ras Mikael Sehul's Palace dates from the 18th century and the Debre Berhan Selassie Church is also worth a visit.
The Ethiopian Jews who were known as Falasha used to have communities around Gondar, but they all migrated to Israel during the 1980s, so even though such villages are advertised, they are not the real thing and not worth wasting your time on.
Gondar is about 430 km north of Addis Abeba.
Fasilides Castle ©Hunde Gemechu