Axum, also written Aksum, is an ancient city in the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is known for its obelisks, its ruins, and its place in local tradition as the legendary home of the Ark of the Covenant.
What to see
- The obelisks rise over the town and are the city's most recognisable landmarks, and they are the reason many visitors come.
- The ruins spread across the site and give a sense of the ancient city's scale and age.
- The Ark of the Covenant is central to the city's legend. Its story is part of why Axum holds such a strong place in the region's identity.
Planning a visit
Axum suits visitors who want to spend time with archaeology and history rather than a quick stop. Allow a full day or more to walk between the main sites at an unhurried pace. The city is also a base for exploring the wider Tigray Region, where other historic places and landscapes lie within reach.
Because Axum is a heritage site, it is worth reading about the ruins and the obelisks before you go, so that what you see on the ground makes more sense. Visitors who enjoy quiet, unhurried places tend to find the town a rewarding stop on a longer journey through Ethiopia.