Travel blog: The Ancient City of Harar Ethiopia

Harar is home to 102 mosques and is considered a world heritage site by UNESCO

It was founded in the 12th century and in 1520 was captured by Ahmed Gragn (the left-handed) who from Harar invaded large parts of Ethiopia. In 1875 Harar was captured by the Egyptions and in 1887 by Menelik II who appointed Ras Makonnen, the father of Haile Selassie, as it's governor.

The former house of Haile Selassie can be visited and is momentarely used by a healer, who with herbs can cure you from a lot of diseases. The French poet Rimbaud has lived in Harar as a trader. Ask for the Rambo house and a guide will bring you to a beautiful mansion which is in restoration.

All around the walled city and in it are bigger and smaller markets among it the famous chat market.

With a guide it's possible to visit some original Harari houses, which are beautiful painted and sculptured.

The Hyena man is considered as The tourist attraction of Harar, which in my opinion does no credit to the rest of the city. But for those who like to tremble and shudder, for a few dollars you can see men feeding the hyenas in the evening. Just ask your hotelmanager or guide to arrange it.

The beauty of Harar are it's colorfull people and it's unique atmosphere.

It's a pleasure to walk around the city, look at the people and bargain at the markets.

As a centre of commerce which it used to be, Harar feels like a place where people live and let live, a laizez faire mentality. At the same time it looks like a khasba which didn't change in it's centuries of existence.

St Mary's church was built a few yards away from
HaileSelassie's birth place in honor of the new born.

This site is found far in the country hills of Harar.
Only about 150 households are Ethiopian Orthodox and the remaining community is Muslim. The yellow flowers are called "Meskel Flowers".

Donkeys in the "Walled City" of Harar.

This city is entirely Muslim and is considered the third holiest land outside of Mecca.

Inside the town walls are markets lining the sides of the stone path. The people are selling everything from vegetables to herbs to fabrics and frankincense.

Fresh Lavender from the market in the "Walled City".

The locals use this plant in their vegetarian dishes. It smells sweeter than the herbs we have in the West.

Harari women in traditional dress, Eastern Ethiopia.

The Harari people, also called Geyusu, are an ethnic group inhabiting the Horn of Africa.

Members traditionally reside in the city of Harar, situated in the Harari Region of eastern Ethiopia.

Because of it's cultural legacy, UNESCO declared Harar, Ethiopia a "World Heritage Site".

To maintain this status, the people are not allowed to build any new buildings, so many families of different religions live together in the same house and have done so for hundreds of years.

This rare display of harmony also led to UNESCO awarding Harar the peace prize.

It's one of only a few of cities to receive both designations from UNESCO.