Gondar

Gondar, capital of Amhara in Abyssinia, is situated on a basaltic hill 23 miles N. of Lake Tzana (see ABYSSINIA). Gondar was formerly the residence of the emperor, and at one time had about 50,000 inhabitants; its population numbers at present barely 4000, though there are still some forty churches. The hill is crowned by the ruin of the old castle, built by Indian architects under Portuguese direction; burned by Theodore in 1867, it is now left to the bats and hyenas. The Mohammedan town (Islambed), at the foot of the hill, formerly noticeable for its clean streets and pretty houses, has been deserted in consequence of an edict commanding the baptism of the inhabitants; but the Falashas are permitted to keep their Jewish quarter. Part of the town was burned by the Dervishes in 1889. There are manufactures of fine leather and gold and silver filigree-work, church vessels, and musical instruments; and the priests are masters of penmanship, and prepare religious paintings, reading-desks, and praying-stools. Most of the young priests of Abyssinia are educated here. There is a considerable transit trade.