Time Zone |
Africa/Addis_Ababa |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+3 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Europe/Vienna |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+2 |
Located in the northern Ethiopian state of Tigray, Aksum is one of the most important archaeological sites in Africa and is known as the birthplace of Ethiopia's ancient civilization. The city was the capital of the powerful kingdom of Aksum from the 1st century BC to the 10th century AD, and at its height it controlled the Red Sea trade routes and maintained close contacts with the Roman Empire, Persia and India.
Aksum's most famous landmark is the cluster of giant obelisks, the tallest of which is 24 meters high, weighs 160 tons and is considered an ancient engineering marvel. The monoliths mark the royal tombs and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also preserved in the city are the ruins of the legendary palace of the Queen of Sheba, the Nzana Stones (inscribed in three scripts, including Greek and Ancient Esperanto), and the Church of St. Mary of Sion, which is said to have housed the Ark of the Covenant.
As the spiritual center of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Axum hosts the Tinkat Festival (Epiphany) every January, attracting thousands of believers to the grand ceremony. The city retains a distinctive Ghizi worship tradition to this day, and its manuscript culture, stone art and traditional architectural styles have profoundly influenced cultural development in East Africa.
Today Aksum is an important stop on Ethiopia's historical route, which visitors can reach by flight or overland from the capital Addis Ababa. The best season to visit is the dry season from October to May, with the main attractions centered within walking distance around the Aksum Archaeological National Museum.
Located in the eastern part of Burgenland, close to the Hungarian border, Rust, Austria, is a small town famous for its wine and unique wetland landscape. As one of the most important wine regions in Burgenland, Rust is internationally renowned for its high quality Riesling and Viessner white wines, and its vineyards cover the surrounding hills in a charmingly idyllic setting. The city's well-preserved medieval old town with its colorful houses, cobblestone streets and old wine cellars is steeped in history. Rust is also part of the Lake Neuchiedler-Hanschatz National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage wetland that provides a habitat for birds and attracts nature lovers. The annual wine festival in the fall is the biggest event in the region, where visitors can taste great wines and experience traditional wine culture. This small town with its blend of nature and culture perfectly showcases the charm of life in eastern Austria.