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h3. Search Controls
The buttons below the map hide/show locations by type – eg Accommodation, Airports, Reserves, Borders.
h3. Map Control
The buttons on the right apply to the map as a whole
Lassoo – zooms the map to include all visible items
Show – make ALL items visible – this may clutter the map
Hide – removes all items from the maps
Ruler – provide a simple scale tool – the endpoints can be dragged to measure the distance of interest
Help – you are here!
h3. Google Controls
Zoom & pan – handled by the controls on the left or more directly by dragging and double-click
Streetview – drag the ‘person’ to the area of interest. Available views are highlighted in blue. Click ‘X’ top right to close Streetview
Map type – top right menu
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Imperial capital, Royal enclosure, Italian occupation
Gonder
After years of bloody religious conflict as Portuguese Catholicism sought to unseat Ethiopian Orthodoxy, Emperor Fasilidas founded a permanent capital in 1635. He picked the small strategic hilltop village of Gonder, to the north of Lake Tana, close to the Simien Mountains. It remained imperial capital for 250 years before losing its centralised power to regional rulers.
The most striking legacy is the group of 17th century palaces, castles and churches grouped in the walled Royal Enclosure to the centre of the city. Six well preserved castles make an interesting exploration through passages and walkways.
The centre of town benefits from some handsome yellow-painted Italian Moderne architecture dating from its occupation 1936-41. Gonder was the last Italian stronghold to fall to the British.
Outside town are the turreted King Fasilidas Pool and the palace at Kuskuam with views over the city. The proximity of Simien Mountains makes a feasible day trip to the impressive escarpment and varied terrain.
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