Menelik II’s Palace Complex

The construction of Emperor Menelik II’s Palace Complex buildings began in the early 189O’s. Including the two-story an octagonal building which is commonly known as “egg house”, this complex features Emperor Menelik II’s bedroom and Reception Room, Etege Taytu’s dwellings, the Prince’s Bedrooms, and a small Banquet Room, all of which were connected through passageways. The Egg House, named because of the octagonal shape of its roof, served as Emperor Menelik II’s prayer room, his watchtower/balcony and his office. The pipe installed at the entrance of the prayer room was a means of communication between the prayer room and Menelik II’s office. In addition, the country’s first telephone line was installed in the two small walk-in closets along the passageway to Emperor Menelik II’s bedroom. The building found on the east end of the complex was built in 1931 and this structure made of timber was the council of Ministers’ meeting hall. The small single room building found to the west near Emperor Menelik II’s dwellings was waiting room of the Minister of War Fitawrari Habtegiorgis Dinegde, also known as Aba Mella.