Entoto is the mountain range that eclipses the capital city, Addis Ababa, from the north. It was here that Menelik II found his capital, also called Entoto, in the early 1870. The site he had chosen was said to have been the location of the capital of the 15th century monarch, Atse Dawit. This fact, according to legend, is confirmed by a manuscript found in one of the monasteries of lake Ziway;and was a reason enough to reverse Menelik's earlier choice, Wochecha, still on the mountain range, but fur the west.
At establishment, Entoto wasn't much different from a military camp. It had a population of about 50,000 inhabitants. of mostly soldiers and their families. Like Ethiopian earlier capitals, it was strategically situated, for it stood on an easily defensible plateau, and was surrounded with a deep trench. Besides, its location at the watershed between the Blue Nile and Awash river basins, provides easy access to most of central Ethiopia.

The settlement, at first, consisted of mainly tents. But very soon erection of some fine buildings followed. Among these earlier structures were the two churches and Menelik's palace. One of the churches, St. Mary church, was dedicated to the "tabot" (replica of the ark of the covenant) captured at the battle of Embabo. In a bid for territorial aggrandizement at the south, Menelik of Shoa and Teklehaimanot of Gojjam were engaged at a battle in Embabo. As was common at the time, king teklehaimanot carried the tabot of St. Mary to the battlefield, but gave it away at his capture. On release Teklehaimanot returned to his kingdom, but the Tabot remained behind. It was placed in a " Mekagno" a temporary shelter, which is still standing. Etege Taitu, Menelik,s spouse, took the initiative to build the main church, and at its completion the placement of the Tabot, St. Mary, was inaugurated. It is told that during the inaugural ceremony 5395 cattle were slaughtered.

The historical significance of Entoto Mariam church is Menelik II was crowned here, after the death of Emperor Yohannis IV in defense of the nation at the border, Abuna Matias crowned Menelik as king of kings on Nov. 3,1889. The ceremony was held in the premises of the church. Behind St.Mary church, and just out of the compound stands Menelik' s palace. It is the precursor of the big "Gibbi" at Arat kilo. The reception hall the "Elfign" _the bed room, are in destitute conditions and are calling for attention, but are still there to signify the fine qualities of Ethiopian housing construction of the past.

At the entrance of the church is found the museum. Mainly, it houses a number of artifacts, crafts, and dresses of the Emperor and the Empress. The contents of the museum surely tell parts of the tales of Entoto s past as the seat of government for some years.

In the other church the tabot of Archangel Raguel is placed. it is found at the west, about one kilometer from St. Mary' s It' s construction was initiated by the Emperor. The structure is an octagonal two-store building, surmounted by a dome with balcony all around. The church has the environment of Indian architecture, for the chief mason and wood carver were Indians. Ethiopian artists decorated the interior with Biblical paintings.

The church had once enjoyed a reputation for being an important center of learning ''quine'' (poem), zema (hyms) as well as the old and the new testaments. Renowned church scholars from all over the country gathered here to transmit their age-old knowledge. The style of the building followed the patterns of the traditional Ethiopian orthodox church construction. Accordingly, it is divided in to three sections. The outer chamber, quine-Mahlet, is meant for the congregation; the middle is quidest (the holies) where communion is served to the aged and the young; and the center, Mequides (the holy of holies) is where the tabot is placed. It is so sacred that it is accessible to priests only.

Between the two churches there is an open space. From here visitors enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding areas because of Entoto's commanding height. At the foot of the hill Addis Ababa spreads out. In the south, east and west mountains like ziquala, Erer and Wechecha stretch out. Moreover, the aroma of the lashing eucalyptus trees on the plateau after an inspiring breath. Though excellent as a military camp, Entoto soon pried to be unsatisfactory as a peacetime capital. Being located on a rugged mountain, it lacked an adequate supply of timber and firewood Potable water was scarce and the settlement could be reached by an arduous climb only. To add to these inconveniences, the site, at 3200 meters above sea level, was extremely cold and windy; and during the rainy seasons, suffered from tropical storms, and deafening thunder.

In general the place, as exclaimed by a French traveler, Charles Michael, was an impossible capital''. These necessitated the transfer to the lower and flatter area at the foot of the mountain.
This transfer though deliberate, was affected after a cautious and slow move. The action was further strengthened by the existence, at the foot of hill, of springs. Filwoha, hot spring known to the Ethiopians from time immemorial, are used for relaxation and medical treatment. Accordingly, Menelik, especially his wife Taitu, and his court followed this tradition and made frequent visits to enjoy the springs. During one of such visits in 1886, Etege Taitu requested for land grant near the springs on which to build a house. Not only did Menelik grant her land, but also specified the location. Construction began immediately at the site of today' s Grand or Menelik Gibbi .

In the year 1887 Taitu effectively in stalled herself in her new house. The principal chiefs were also allotted land around the palace, and each undertook the task of building his own dwelling. On a certain morning, Taitu was said to have been suddenly struck by the beauty of the flowering mimosa trees in the vicinity and this inspired her to give the new settlement its name; Addis Ababa, literally “New flower’’.

Soon afterwards Addis Ababa was well established as a capital city. It became the center for the political, social and economic activities of the vast Empire; and served as the springboard for Menelik' s ventures in expanding the territory. Here too Menelik endeavored to discharge his responsibilities in modernizing the country. Construction of the palace began in 1889, and by 1894 completion was attained except that the large reception hall with three gables was added to it in 1879. Residences of political chiefs and men of state, each of whom had his followers quartered in smaller houses around him, like earlier settlements, surrounded it. The whole settlement, as a result, covered an extensive area. The market, Arada, was placed to the west of the palace hill just south of the present municipality hall. It was here that the victorious Ethiopian army held its first parade. They have marched out through the streets of Addis; and headed, to Adowa where they have stringently challenged the invading Italian force and won as astounding victory; the grandiose of which, of course, in spire the persistence and strengthening of African struggler against colonialism.

Addis Ababa, at its foundation, became the site of many innovations. These included the establishment of the country' s first bank, the Bank of Abyssinia, founded in 1905; the first hotel, established by queen Taitu in 1908; the first modern school, Menelik II school, opened in 1902; the first government hospital, Menelik II hospital, and a state owned printing press in 1911. Here too were the erection of the country' s first hydroelectric power station on the Akaki river in 1911;and the construction of Addis Djibouti rail- road, that reached Addis Ababa in 1917, were planned. It was here that, for the Ethiopians, Menelik’s Swiss engineer, Alfred Ilg, underwent the most notable innovation of installing the system of running water.

In the early years of the century, the city' s expansion was quieting noticeable. By 1910 its population was estimated to be over 60, 000. This development was the continuation of the boom attained as a result of the victory of Adowa when the victorious soldiers remained behind and established their settlement many of the houses of very fine architectural style are still standing in testimony of the tastes and values of their dwellers.

Henceforth, Addis Ababa is undergoing through a steady but an effective development. Today it enjoys the status of being the capital city of Africa. It houses the OAU, ECA and many other international organizations. Its facilities the airport, the railway terminal, the bus fleet to the provinces, the high standard hotels, communication services etc.; the hospitality of its residents as well as the mix of culture observed; the breath of the cool and fresh air; most of all, the tranquility that Addis Ababa offers makes it a palatable destination for all sorts of visitors.