In the centre of Ras Makonnen Sq stands a rather Italian-looking, equestrian statue of the ras (duke) cast in bronze by the well-known Amhara artist Afewerk Tekle. The ras is said to look towards Somalia and the lands conquered here. Ras Makonnen was Emperor Menelik's cousin and was appointed first ruler of Harar after the emperor's occupation of the city. The ras is also known as the father of the Emperor Haile Selassie.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
9.61 MILES
With its superb architecture and dramatic setting, the clifftop village of Koremi, 19km southeast of Harar above the Erer Valley, is a definite must-see…
16.52 MILES
If you’re travelling east of Harar on a Monday or Thursday, don’t miss the super-atmospheric livestock market in the village of Babille – it's one of…
0.69 MILES
Harar’s old walled town (known as Jugal) is a fascinating place that begs exploration. The thick, 5m-high walls running 3.5km around town were erected in…
0.86 MILES
Located north of Fallana Gate, this is one of Harar's two hyena feeding stations. A highlight of any visit to Harar, this impressive spectacle begins…
17.31 MILES
Despite considerable tree cutting, livestock grazing and land encroachment, Babille is better protected than many of Ethiopia’s national parks, and the…
1.17 MILES
One of Harar's two infamous hyena feeding sites, it is located about 1.5km east of Erer Gate (near the garbage dump). This site is usually more productive…
0.82 MILES
Near the middle of the walled city, and often mistakenly called Rimbaud’s House, is this museum dedicated to French poet Arthur Rimbaud with a series of…
Ras Tafari's House & Sherif Harar City Museum
0.79 MILES
Close to Rimbaud’s House, the conspicuous Ras Tafari’s House was built by an Indian trader and many of its features, such as the Ganesh carving above the…
Nearby attractions
0.12 MILES
This church doesn't really deserve a gander, but it's a useful landmark off the main thoroughfare.
0.26 MILES
The Smugglers’ Market is chock-full of counterfeit clothing and electronics (some real stuff, too) from China. Most of it is smuggled in from Somaliland…
0.33 MILES
Near the Shoa Gate Market is the Recycling Market where men repair metal materials and beat scrap into useful utensils. The whole area is undergoing a…
0.44 MILES
Elbow your way through the Shoa Gate Market (also known as the Christian Market) to find etan (incense) from the Jijiga area; it’s used in the famous…
0.69 MILES
Harar’s old walled town (known as Jugal) is a fascinating place that begs exploration. The thick, 5m-high walls running 3.5km around town were erected in…
0.69 MILES
Built by the Czechs in 1984 and purchased by Heineken in 2011, this is a very modern brewery. Tours are sometimes available in the morning – contact local…
0.71 MILES
The main square is a bustling place with several minor points of interest. Most conspicuous is the monument to those who died fighting against Menelik’s…
0.73 MILES
On the east side of Feres Megala is this rather unimpressive cathedral, built by Ras Makonnen in 1890 on the site of an Egyptian mosque.
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