Fasiladas Bath Timket
Fasiladas Bath Timket
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
380 reviews
Excellent
168
Very good
151
Average
60
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Diane M
Charlottesville, VA221 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
Like thousands of others, I visited Emperor Fasiledes' bath in the wee hours of the morning on Timkat, January 19. (I'd also visited the day before, pre-festivities. We gazed in awe at the banyan tree roots that encased parts of the wall and at the palace's reflection in the pool.)
But on TImkat eve, and the day itself, the location is a combination of "magical" and "overwhelming." On Timkat eve, thousands gather at nightfall. The atmosphere is what's magical: candlelight plus thousands of Orthodox faithful dressed in white. Some stay all night; others, like us, returned at 4:30am. Festival organizers had reserved bleacher space for tourists (whose guides had made pre-arrangements?), so that we could watch the Orthodox ceremony. And more non-Ethiopian tourists were allowed into the enclosure just before the ceremony started.
I realize that because of this access, tourists are likely to keep coming, and their presence is important for Gondar's economy; still, I regret that so many of the Ethiopians who are actually celebrating Timkat can never get in to watch.
My advice:
- Arrive before 5am if you want to get a spot on the bleachers. Or stand near a gate entrance and pray that officials let you in to watch from the ground level.
- Dress warmly.
- Keep all your valuables on your lap. Sad to say, but some local hooligans reached up through the eucalyptus-branch bleachers and grabbed loose cameras and other valuables that had been placed at people's feet.
- Get ready for the explosion of young men jumping into the pool for a swim, after the priest (barely) finishes his official ceremony celebrating Jesus' baptism.
- Then, hold onto all your belongings carefully as you push through the crowds to get back OFF of the bleachers.
But on TImkat eve, and the day itself, the location is a combination of "magical" and "overwhelming." On Timkat eve, thousands gather at nightfall. The atmosphere is what's magical: candlelight plus thousands of Orthodox faithful dressed in white. Some stay all night; others, like us, returned at 4:30am. Festival organizers had reserved bleacher space for tourists (whose guides had made pre-arrangements?), so that we could watch the Orthodox ceremony. And more non-Ethiopian tourists were allowed into the enclosure just before the ceremony started.
I realize that because of this access, tourists are likely to keep coming, and their presence is important for Gondar's economy; still, I regret that so many of the Ethiopians who are actually celebrating Timkat can never get in to watch.
My advice:
- Arrive before 5am if you want to get a spot on the bleachers. Or stand near a gate entrance and pray that officials let you in to watch from the ground level.
- Dress warmly.
- Keep all your valuables on your lap. Sad to say, but some local hooligans reached up through the eucalyptus-branch bleachers and grabbed loose cameras and other valuables that had been placed at people's feet.
- Get ready for the explosion of young men jumping into the pool for a swim, after the priest (barely) finishes his official ceremony celebrating Jesus' baptism.
- Then, hold onto all your belongings carefully as you push through the crowds to get back OFF of the bleachers.
Written January 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
snowythepyro
London, UK471 contributions
Nov 2019
I just wish we saw this at the festival time, when it is full of water & pilgrims! It's a fascinating spot.
Written October 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim B
New York City, NY192 contributions
Mar 2020
This building and its surrounding pool (empty except on January 19) is amazing. We would have like to have seen it when it is filled with water from the local river, but it's very impressive even when drained. Do not miss this one.
Written March 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarlineKhalil
Cairo, Egypt110 contributions
Dec 2019
WE went for the tour there and had a great guide to explain to us the different sites in the compound. Lots of walking and climbing stairs..
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanette M
Swindon, UK189 contributions
Oct 2019
A gentle stroll round the Fasiledas bath was a lovely end to the day. Egyptian goose and her chicks were taking advantage of the bath and as were a pair of kingfishers, making it extra special. Tree roots growing through the walls made it quite atmospheric.
Written October 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travellover077
Canberra, Australia321 contributions
Sep 2019
An interesting place worth visiting if one has the time whilst in Gonder. Our visit was rather rushed unfortunately
Written October 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gillian G G
Winchester, UK113 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
In a way I expected the bath to be full of water as it was in January but it was pretty amazing and well worth a visit. It is possible to walk all the way round and to also look at the tree roots that are embedded into the walls
Written April 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K72
Melbourne, Australia3,075 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
Lovely place to visit. This must be amazing to see at Timket. Hard to imagine the decadence of times gone by.
Free entry if you've been to the palace/castle complex. The structure is in good repair and still used for festivals.
Free entry if you've been to the palace/castle complex. The structure is in good repair and still used for festivals.
Written December 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaubrey22
Denver, CO196 contributions
Jan 2016
I went twice to Fasiladas while in Gonder. It was amazing. If you are there for Timket make sure that you attend the sunrise service. I will never forget it. I hope that one day I can make it back again.
Written June 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trekkerKent
kent92 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
Lovely place to visit. Huge bath area with great tree roots around edges. Lots of history and great stories from our guide to help make it come alive.
Written November 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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