Menelik Palace

The Menelik Palace is a palatial compound in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. For years known as the Gebi, it was the seat of the power of Ethiopia's emperors. Within its confines are several residences, halls, chapels, and working buildings. Today it contains the offices and residence of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

The palace grounds contains different churches. The most important is the Ta'eka Negest (Resting Place of Kings) Ba'eta Le Mariam Monastery. It has a large Imperial crown at the top of the dome. The church serves as a mausoleum for emperor Menelik II, his wife Empress Taitu, and Empress Zewditu, his daughter and eventual successor. Other churches within the grounds are the Se'el Bet Kidane Meheret Church (Our Lady Covenant of Mercy) and the Debre Mengist St. Gabriel Church.

During the rule of Mengistu Haile Mariam, the place grounds were used as a prison to house many notables of the government of Emperor Haile Selassie, the Emperor included. Built during this time was the Shengo Hall, accommodating the country's legislature, and the Presidential Office Building.

In 2010, construction began on a new residence for Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and his family. The project, which was estimated to cost 80 million birr for a two-storey house, was being supervised by Meles's wife, Azeb Mesfin. Also part of the project were guest houses worth 25 million birr, and a thorough refurbishment of the palace gardens.

In November 2012, Azeb was said to have been stalling on her departure from the palace, three months after her husband's death. She was said to be ignoring instructions to move to one of three villas provided for her, refusing to even visit them out of concerns for her security. This forced the new Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, to stay in a small house in the city's western suburbs and commute to and from the Prime Minister's Office late at night and early in the morning.

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