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After the decline of Lalibela in the second half of the 13th C and the consequent power transfer (Restoration) from the Zagwe rulers to the Solomonic line of rulers the capital city again shifted to southern part and then to Lake Tana region before Gondar was established by King Fasil as permanent capital in 1636. Fasiledes, who recognized the need to have a permanent capital, settled on the small village of Gondar, with its strategic hilltop location at an altitude of 2120m in the foothills of the Simien mountains. Surrounded on all sides by fertile lands and at the intersection of Caravan routes Gondar was a perfect choice for a capital.  Gondar became the country’s first permanent capital and center of culture and trade for the next 200 years.

  The City to this Day is dominated by the Royal enclosure containing six well preserved castles like palaces and other buildings. Lying at the center of the city the city the royal enclosure is surrounded by high stone walls and covers an area of 70,000m2, connecting tunnels and raised walk ways. The most impressive and the original castle is Fasiledes Castle built around 1640 AD. This castle is made of stone shows a unique combination of Axumite, Portuguese and Indian architectural influences. The Royal archives building destroyed by the British bombing during liberation in the 2nd WW, the Bathing pool are built during Fasil. Other castles include the castle of Yohannes and Iyasu the great. The castle of Iyasu is the largest in the compound but also partly destroyed by the combined effect of the 1704 earth quake and the British bombardment.  King Dawit’s lions cage and the consort hall, king Bakafa”s Banquet hall and stables and, and finally Mentwabs Castle are also the other interesting buildings in the compound.

Other attractions with in and around the city includes Fasiledes Bathing pool, the beautifully decorated famous church of Debre Birhan Silasse, Kusquwam (complex known also as Mentwabs Palace), the open market, City center (Piazza), Italian art deco and buildings from Italian temporary occupation and rule, woleka village (black Jew village)    

Today Gondar is the fourth largest city with a population estimated to be 150,000. It is also one of the Big four attractions along the Northern circuit. Gondar is also a convenient place to explore the Simien mountains National park known for spectacular sceneries, peculiar fauna and flora. Moreover one of the countries best scenic routes can be explored by a day driving from Gondar to Axum or vice versa passing through ranges of Simien Mountains and Takaze Gorge.