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St George Cathedral
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Landmark
St George Cathedral
Octagonal Orthodox cathedral in Piassa, the place of two imperial coronations
- Area
- Piassa
St George Cathedral is an octagonal Orthodox cathedral in Piassa, Addis Ababa. Empress Zewditu and Emperor Haile Selassie were crowned there.
Good for
- Visitors
- Octagonal cathedral at the north end of Churchill Avenue
- Coronations of Empress Zewditu in 1917 and Haile Selassie in 1930
- Stained glass by Afewerk Tekle
- Museum with an imperial throne and weapons
St George Cathedral is at the north end of Churchill Avenue, in Piassa. The building has eight sides. The Italian engineer Sebastiano Castagna designed it.
History
The cathedral carries the name of St George because the Tabot of the church went to the Battle of Adwa in 1896, where Ethiopia defeated the Italian army. Empress Zewditu was crowned here in 1917. Emperor Haile Selassie was crowned here in 1930. The Italian Fascist authorities set fire to the cathedral in 1937. The emperor restored it after the liberation of 1941.
What to see
The stained glass windows are by the Ethiopian artist Afewerk Tekle. A museum in the grounds shows an imperial throne and weapons from the wars against Italy. Among them are curved swords, tridents and large helmets made from the manes of lions.
Getting there
The cathedral is next to Menelik II Square. The Adwa Victory Memorial Museum is a short walk away. Minibuses to Piassa stop close to the gate.
Good to know
This is a working church. Dress modestly and take off your shoes before you go in. The compound is busy on the feast days of St George. Allow 45 minutes for the church and the museum.
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Frequently asked questions
Who was crowned at St George Cathedral?
Empress Zewditu was crowned there in 1917 and Emperor Haile Selassie in 1930.
What is in the museum of St George Cathedral?
The museum shows an imperial throne and weapons from the wars against Italy.
Where is St George Cathedral?
It is at the north end of Churchill Avenue in Piassa, next to Menelik II Square.
Sources
- St. George's Cathedral, Addis Ababa, Wikipedia
- Photo: St. George Cathedral, Addis Ababa.jpg by Sailko, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Katedrála sv. Jiří.jpg by Ondřej Žváček, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: St. George's Cathedral - Flickr - Dave Proffer (4).jpg by Dave Proffer, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: St. George's Church - Piazza District - Addis Ababa - Ethiopia (8660640758).jpg by Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: In St. Georges Cathedral, Addis Ababa.jpg by A. Davey from Where I Live Now: Pacific Northwest, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Russian Bell, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2127523621).jpg by A. Davey from Where I Live Now: Pacific Northwest, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Profile last reviewed November 12, 2026.
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