The invading Italian Army was defeated by Ethiopian defenders at the Battle of Adwa in 1896. The Italians returned under Mussolini in 1936 and managed to defeat the Ethiopian Army, in the process killing numerous civilians while sustaining heavy losses. Five years later, the Italians were kicked out of the country for good.

Adwa is 22 km east ofAxum, the nearest city, by sealed road. It is west, and much further, fromAdigrat.

Axum Airport is between Adwa and Axum. There are daily flights fromAddis Ababa,Gondar andLalibela.

There is a daily bus fromMekele viaAbi Addi.

• 14.160738.89821Selassie Church.Built by Emperor Yohannis IV. 
• 14.16238.9042Gebriel Church. 
• 14.16138.9533Abba Garima monastery,Madera(take the road south towards Abi Addi for 6 km, then turn off left along a track for 3 km).Women may not enter the church or treasury.120 birr. 

• 14.285739.0194Great Temple.A pre-Christian and pre-Aksumite temple dating back at least 2500 years. Undergoing restoration. There is also a small museum containing pre-Christian artefacts and Christian manuscripts, crosses, paintings etc.100 birr. 
• 14.28639.0195Church of Abba Afse (or Abuna Aftse)(next to the temple).According to tradition, Abba Aftse, one of the Nine Saints of the 5th century, founded a monastery here. Outside, you can see boys reciting passages in Ge'ez, the ancient scriptural language of Ethiopia, as part of their church education. 
• Rocky hilltop that looks like a lion.