Geographically Debrezeit (resorted back to Bishoftu since 1991 ) can be desribed as a land with “year-round balmy weather, coupled with a unique natural endowments of several crater lakes, lush green vegetation, mountains chain, and amazing birdlife”. (Source: Solomon Wassihun,(July 31, 2021) Bishoftu: The quick getaway, accessed on November 7, 2021)
Debre Zeit: The Gateway to Djibouti, Southern and Eastern Ethiopia:
An important feature of Debre Zeit’s geography is its proximity to Addis Ababa, the capital city, which is both the diplomatic and business center of Ethiopia. Debre Zeit is sandwiched between the two big Cities of Addis Ababa and Nazret. The proximity to the big cites offers opportunity for economic relationship.
Furthermore, Debre Zeit is also the passage of the Addis Ababa Djibouti rail and asphalt road. It also connects the southern and Eastern fertile areas of Ethiopia
Debre Zeit’s Crater Lakes:
Debre Zeit is blessed with water that can serve for all kind of purpose including swimming and recreational destination. In fact what makes Debre Zeit unique is that “Out of the fifteen crater lakes in Ethiopia that serve as tourist attractions, the six are in Bishoftu.” (Source: Solomon Wassihun).
The crater lakes in Debre Zeit have served multiple purposes. Besides serving as source of water for people to wash cloth, fishing, place of worship (thanks giving) and drink water for cattle, the lakes are also sources of income as a destination for recreation. Lake Hora served as beach resort for tourists and well to do residents of Addis Ababa. In fact recently there are lots of resorts built around lake Babogaya and Bishoftu. Below is the pictue of people enjoying the balmy weather at Lake Hora
To cater to visitors of Lake Hora, a modern Hotel known as Ras Hotel was built for tourists before 1955. In addition to Ras Hotel, small round grass roof cottages were built facing one section of Lake Hora. Tourists and well to do residents of Addis Ababa used the place as weekend get away.
Below is a picture of Ras Hotel, sail boat, and birds, which tourists can enjoy while visiting lake Hora in the 1960s.
Source: We want to acknowledge that all the Pictures above were sourced from a documentary entitled “Ethiopia 1955”, Geography – Debre Zeit/Bishoftu Magic (debrezeitmajic.com)
Debre Zeit’s unique Cultural Festival:
Lake Hora have been used as cultural festival (Irrechaa) destination for a long time.
