Axum

Axum, also spelled Aksum, is a city in the northern Ethiopian highlands and the historic capital of the Aksumite Empire. The ancient kingdom flourished in parts of what are now northern Ethiopia and Eritrea from roughly the 1st to the 8th century CE. Today, Axum is a modern town known for its archaeological remains and religious sites, and its ancient core is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Historically, the Aksumite state developed as a powerful trading empire with connections to Red Sea port cities and inland Africa. It minted its own coins and erected monumental stone monuments, including large stelae and tombs. In the 4th century CE, King Ezana adopted Christianity, making it a defining element of the kingdom and influencing later Ethiopian Christian heritage. The empire declined between the 6th and 8th centuries due to shifts in trade routes, climate factors, and political changes, though its influence persisted in the region.

Archaeological remains at Axum include the Stelae Field with towering carved monuments, tomb structures, and palace ruins. The site is part of the Ancient City of Axum World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1980. Ethiopian tradition also links Axum to the biblical Queen of Sheba and to the Ark of the Covenant, which is said to be housed at the Church of Our Lady of Zion in Axum.

Today, Axum supports an economy based on agriculture and tourism. The historical and religious sites attract visitors, scholars, and pilgrims, and the city remains an important center for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.