Holy Trinity Cathedral (Kidist Selassie)

The basics

The Holy Trinity Cathedral compound was initially built as a burial site for those who fought against Mussolini's occupation of East Africa, though most visitors are typically interested in seeing the tomb of Selassie, who is buried alongside his wife, Empress Menen Asfaw. There are some beautiful stained glass, frescoes, and Corinthian columns worth checking out. Many full-day tours of Addis Ababa visit the church, along with a host of other local attractions, including the National Museum and Mount Entoto.

Things to know before you go

• The Holy Trinity Cathedral will be of interest to anyone who’s intrigued by history or religion.
• Women must wear modest clothing and cover their heads before entering the church.
• Wheelchair users should be able to get into the church with some help from an aid as there is a small step.

How to get there

Holy Trinity Cathedral is located in the center of Addis Ababa, about a 5-minute drive or a 15-minute walk from the National Museum of Ethiopia. Although there are bus services to the neighborhood, it can be challenging for visitors who don’t speak Amharic to navigate. An easier bet is to hire a taxi to take you there or join a tour that includes transportation.

When to get there

You can visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral independently or with a guide. You can attend Mass if you want (just be prepared to be inside for a couple of hours), and be aware that Mass timings change depending on feast days. If you arrive when there’s no service in session, you can usually give a small donation to one of the priests on site, who will let you into the church and provide a bit of information.

Haile Selassie and Rastafari

Many international visitors who come to the Holy Trinity Cathedrals are adherents of the Rastafari faith, which started in Jamaica in the 1930s (“Ras” means king and Tafari was Selassie’s first name at birth). Many members of the faith, which is rooted in Biblical teachings and Pan-Africanism, see His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie as their messiah, citing biblical passages that prophesied the coming of a king from the east.