Aksum, centre of the ancient Kingdom
The new Church of St. Mary of Zion was founded by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1955, to mark his Silver Jubilee. It was built in a modern interpretation of the Greek Byzantine style with Ethiopian influences. It has a bell tower built in the same style as the ancient stelae. Unlike the original St. Mary of Zion, the new St. Mary of Zion allows entrance to women.
Photo by Ludo Kuipers, Mon Feb 26, 1973