Gondar was established by Emperor Fasiledes in 1636 and was one of the permanent capital cities next to Axum and Lalibela in Ethiopia for more than 200 years. Currently, it is the capital city of North Gondar Administrative Zone. Gondar Town is found along the historic route of the country. The oldest and the most impressive cultural, historical, and recreational heritages such as Fasil Castle, Fasil Bath, Debre Berhan Sillassie Church, Qusquam Complex and Wolleqa Village, etc is found in Gondar. The Ruined Church of Saint John Metemeqe Melekot, AzezoTekelehayimanot, old aged bridges and more than 44 churches, the spectacular hilltops and viewpoints of Goha, Anghereb watershed and hilly ranges of western escarpments.
Intangible cultural heritage resources that have a great potential for the development of tourism in Gondar Town include Festivals, dance, music and legends. Both secular and religious festivals are available in Gondar. The annual holidays of Enqutatash /Ethiopian New Year (September11), Meskel (/The finding of the True cross (September 27), Timqet or the Epiphany (January 19) and Tinsae’/Easter are few examples of religious festivals. Among the secular traditional music and dance (Iskista) marriage ceremonies, Timqet, etc. can be mentioned. In Gondar Town there are also a great deal of Amharic poetry that encompasses everything ranging from proverbs to tales and in riddles and prophetic statements. Immense amount of tales and stories are in circulation, having been told and retold for centuries. They are used on many religious and social occasions; such as weddings or funerals along with dance and music.
Although colourfully celebrated throughout the country, Timqet has a special atmosphere in Gondar Town. Fasiledes bath is still dedicated to this colourful ceremony. It is widely believed that as part his efforts in restoring the Orthodox faith, Emperor Fasiledes constructed the bath at a short distance out of the palace complex to rebaptise those who were converted into Catholic religion by his father, Emperor Suseneyos. It consists of a vast rectangular depression, surrounded by a wall. It is still filled with water each year by a canal from the River Keha for the colourful Timqet celebration. Therefore besides the baptism of Jesus, the celebration of Timqet in Gondar commemorates the rebaptise of thousands of people converted from Catholic religion to Orthodox faith. So, even though Gondar can be visited at any time of the year, the city is a wonderful place to witness the colourful ceremonies of the Timqet festival in January.