Monuments

Emperor Menelik’s

The statue symbolizes the anti-colonial struggle of Emperor Menelik who waged the Battle of Adwa, the climactic battle of the First Ethio-Italy War in 1896 and is witnessing Africa’s triumph over European colonialism. It is ordered to be erected by Queen Zewditu, the daughter of Emperor Menelik II, for the memory of her father. It was drawn by the German architect Haertel Spengler and it was also made in Germany. Sadly before the erection of the monument, Queen Zewditu died in 1930 E.C. Thus, the then crown prince (Emperor Haile Selassie) inaugurated the monument on the eve of his coronation on the same year. In 1936 European colander Benito Mussolini ordered the destruction and hide out of the monument in order to make the humiliating defeat of Italians in Menelik’s hand at the battle of Adwa to be forgotten from the minds of all Ethiopians as well as the world. However, in 1941 E.C when the invaders are driven out of the country, the monument was restored to its original place. It is now located at Piassa on the square of Emperor Menelik near St. George church.

The Lion of Emperor H. Selassie I

This black stone carved monument is erected to commemorate the silver Jubilee of Emperor HaileSelassie, celebrated in 1955 E.C. The monument is the work of a French sculptor, Morris Calka, the winner of Grand Prix of Rome. Henry Shomet, the Architect of the Addis Ababa City Hall, selected him for this task. The statue was then inaugurated in October 3, 1955 E.C. It is located near the National Theater.

Ras Mekonen Monument

On the road from Piassa to Arat kilo, passing a little from Ras Mekonen Bridge, to the left is a memorial monument of Ras Mekonen Wolde Mikael. It is ordered to be built by Emperor Haileselassie, the son of Ras Mekonen for the memory of his father. It was among the monuments which are destructed by Italians during their invasion. It was re erected and inaugurated by Emperor Haile Selassie in April, 1936 E.C.

The Statue of the Lion of Judah

After the completion of the railway line in 1917 European colander, the statue of the lion of Judah, which was built by the France rail road company, was inaugurated in January 1922E.C in the presence of Queen Zewditu and Emperor Haileselassie. When the fascist Italians invade Ethiopia in 1936 EC, the statue was taken to Djibouti by the order of the Italian military commander Rodolfo Graziani. Then it was again sent to Italy and erected at Esderio square. After 30 years, it was returned to Ethiopia with the agreement of the governments of Italy and Ethiopia On January, 1964 EC it was re-erected at “Laga hare in front of Ethio-Djibouti railroad station on the same month and day it was first inaugurated.

On the lower part of the statue are the carved faces of Emperor Menelik II, Queen Zewditu, Ras Mekonen and Emperor Haileselassie. Also on the upper part of the statue is the lion of Judah, raised left foreleg and carries the Ethiopian flag on a crossbar resting on its shoulder.

Source:- A. A City Administration communication office.