Once the administrative seat of an empire, Axum is the oldest city of Ethiopia and of the African continent. Its giant stelae, royal tombs, obelisks and ruins of palaces contribute to its rich history. Moreover, the monolithic obelisks of Axum are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and are among the largest monoliths to have been ever erected by man. Many legends and tales surround the origins of the city, especially that of the Queen of Sheba, which explains why Axum is one of the religious centers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
