The Main Gate of Hara

This rare photograph from 1889 shows the main gate of Harar, one of Africa’s oldest Islamic cities and a major cultural and trading center. Known as the “City of Saints,” Harar was surrounded by thick defensive walls with five historical gates, including the one depicted here. This iconic entrance once marked the threshold to a bustling medieval city filled with markets, mosques, and centuries-old traditions.

Men dressed in traditional Ethiopian garments gather under the sun, while a flag waves atop the arched gateway—symbolizing the era of Emperor Menelik II and Harar’s recent integration into the Ethiopian Empire after the Battle of Chelenqo.

This image is not just a window into Ethiopian history, but a visual anchor to the heritage of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

📍 Keywords: Harar main gate 1889, Ethiopian history photo, Menelik II era, historical Harar image, African Islamic cities, 19th century Ethiopia, Mauro Ghermandi archive.