According to legend, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church would be constructed by the name of letter 'G'. Fasilides contributed a new church at the Cathedral of Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion at Axum, named 'Old Cathedral' which stands next to the newer cathedral built by Emperor Haile Selassie. Fasilides was also credited with building seven stone bridges, notably Sebrara Dildiy bridge over the Blue Nile. Among them, Adababay Iyasus, Adababay Tekle Haymanot, Atatami Mikael, Gemjabet Mariyam, Fit Mikael and Qeddus Abbo were particularly notable churches. One of the most iconic works of Gondarine architecture was a royal complex known as Fasil Ghebbi and 44 churches were built around Lake Tana.

In the following year, he marched to Lasta, where and retreated to the mountain stronghold there 'almost the whole army perished amidst the mountains, great part from famine, but a greater still from cold,” according to writer James Bruce. Melka Kristos was eventually defeated at Libo. In 1637, the leader Melka Kristos entered his palace to reclaim his throne, to which Fasilides quickly responded by dispatching Qegnazmach Dimmo, governor of Semien, and his brother Gelawdewos, governor of Begemder. During this period, the Agaw rebellion in Lasta recurred, started by Susenyos. The period is also renowned for the architecture of the imperial palaces, collectively known as Fasil Ghebbi.įasilides sought to establish diplomatic relations with the Zaydi imam of Yemen Al-Mutawakkil Isma'il from 1642 to 1647, in order to establish trade routes that bypassed Ottoman-held Massawa, but was ultimately unsuccessful. Starting from 1630, Gondar was a religious center and a major commercial power in the empire. Gondar possessed favorable trade routes that swept south of the Blue Nile and to northwestern regions like Massawa and Sudan. The earliest style of art lasted until the early 18th century and was noted for its warmth of color, careful finish and richness of design. The Gondarine period saw numerous innovations, including the development of Christian iconography and the first introduction of money. Mural depiction of Emperor Fasilides at Ura Kidane Mehret Church, EthiopiaĮstablished in 1636 by Emperor Fasilides as the permanent capital of the Ethiopian Empire near Axum and Lalibela, Gondar became a commercial center, consisting of Ethiopian traders called Jeberti, and experienced a period of renewed stability in the Solomonic dynasty. The Gondarine period ended when Tigray governor Ras Mikael Sehul assassinated Iyoas I in 1769, marking the beginning of the country's decentralized Zemene Mesafint ('Era of Princes') which lasted until Emperor Tewodros II reunified the empire in 1855 in its modern form. After this and Iyasu II’s death in 1755, brief dynastic conflicts occurred between Mentewab's Quaregnoch and Yejju Wollo groups led by Wubit.

Emperor Iyasu I's regent, Empress Mentewab, brought her brother Ras Wolde Leul to Gondar and made him Ras Bitwaded. Iyasu I’s death in 1706 led to a decline in Gondar’s supremacy because most emperors enjoyed luxury more than politics. In the arts, the Gondarine period saw diptychs and triptychs, murals and illuminated manuscripts, mostly with religious motifs. For example, the royal complex Fasil Ghebbi was constructed, and 44 churches were established around Lake Tana. This period saw profound achievements in Ethiopian art, architecture, and innovations. The eponymous city, Gondar, was founded by Emperor Fasilides in 1636 as a permanent capital, and became a highly stable, prosperous commercial center.

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