Fasil Ghebbi Fasil Ghebbi is a fortress - enclosure located in Gondar , Ethiopia . It served as the home of Ethiopia ' s emperors in the 17th and 18th centuries . Its unique architecture shows diverse influences including Nubian , Arab , and Baroque styles . The site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 . This complex of buildings includes Fasilides castle , Iyasu ' s Palace , Dawit ' s Hall , a banqueting hall , stable s , Mentewab ' s Castle , a chancellery , library and three churches : Asasame Qeddus Mikael , Elfin Giyorgis and Gemjabet Mariyam . History . The origins of the Fasil Ghebbi can be found in the old tradition of the Ethiopian Emperors to travel around their possessions , living off the produce of the peasants and dwelling in tents . Reflecting this connection , this precinct was frequently referred to as a " katama " ( " camp " or " fortified settlement " ) , or " makkababya " the same name applied to the imperial camp in the " Royal Chronicle " of Baeda Maryam . Emperor Fasilides broke with this tradition of progressing through the territories , and founded the city of Gondar as his capital ; its relative permanence makes the city historically important . Within the capital , he commanded the construction of an imposing edifice , the " Fasil Gemb " or Fasilides castle . The area around the " Fasil Gemb " was delineated by a wall with numerous gates . Subsequent Emperors built their own structures , many of which survive either in whole or part today . Visiting the Fasil Ghebbi in the late 1950s , Thomas Pakenham observed that " dotted among the palaces are what remains of the pavilions and kiosks of the imperial city " . Description . The Fasil Ghebbi covers an area of about 70 , 000 square meters . To its south lies Adababay , the market place of Gondar , where Imperial proclamations were made , troops presented , and criminals executed ; it is currently a city park . The complex is enclosed by a curtain wall which is pierced by twelve gates . These are , in counter - clockwise order : Fit Ber ( also called Jan Tekle Ber ) opening onto Adababay ; Wember Ber ( " Gate of the Judges " ) ; Tazkaro Ber ( " Gate of Funeral Commemoration " ) which had a bridge destroyed by fighting during the reign of Emperor Iyasu II ; Azaj Tequre Ber ( " Gate of Azaj Tequre " ) , which once was connected by a bridge to Adababay Tekle Haymanot church ; Adenager Ber ( " Gate of the Spinners " ) , which was linked by a bridge to Qeddus Rafael church in the weaver ' s section of Gondar ; Qwali Ber ( " Gate of the Queen ' s Attendants " ) , next to the modern entrance to Elfin Giyorgis church inside the Enclosure ; Imbilta Ber ( " Gate of the Musicians " ) ; Elfign Ber ( " Gate of the Privy Chamber " ) which gave access to the private apartments of the Fasil Ghebbi ; Balderas Ber ( Gate of the Commander of the Cavalry " ) ; Ras Ber ( " Gate of the " Ras " " ) , also known as Qwarenyoch Ber ( " Gate of the Qwara people " ) ; Ergeb Ber ( " Gate of Pigeons " ) , also known as Kechin Ashawa Ber ( " Gate of the Gifts " ) ; Inqoye Ber ( " Gate of Princess Inqoye " , the mother of Empress Mentewab ; and Gimjabet Mariyam Ber ( " Gate of the Treasury of Mary " ) , which leads to the churchyard of Gimjabet Mariyam church .