However, it took a long time before I actually visited this great site. On the top of the hill is the main attraction - Bata Maryam or St. Mary's Church in Western parlance. This is the magnificent church where the body of Emperor Menelik is buried. To get to the site, you have to deal with a bit of security. The Grand Palace, where the Prime Minister is said to live, is right next door.
Parking is the first challenge.
There is a big gate at the front on the road which circles the hill, which is grandly named 'Development Through Cooperation Avenue', but nobody actually calls it that. The gate is rigorously guarded by the military, and no one gets in. There is a large fence stretching around the perimeter with regular guardhouses as well. The way in is around the back, down the little road that circles the back of the hill. Unfortunately the soldiers won't let you park on that road, they insist that you go down a side road and park there.