Bahir Dar’s history begins in the 13th or 14th century with the establishment of the Kidanemihret church, and was named “Bahir Dar”, meaning “near the sea”, during Emperor Yikuno Amlak’s reign. It grew as a regional economic centre, particularly in the mid-20th century, and is known today for its location on Lake Tana and the Blue Nile River. We took an afternoon walk through the city with a local guide (1,500 ETB) around the main monuments, including the Amhara People’s Martyrs’ Memorial Monument (🎟️200 ETB), the Azwa St. Maryam Church, and the St. George Church.
