On the western edge of the city, about 2km from the Royal Enclosure, stands the Fasilidas Baths — a large rectangular pool surrounded by stone walls, with a two-storey pavilion at one end. The structure was built by Emperor Fasilidas as a retreat and was likely used for ceremonial bathing and as a pleasure garden.
Today the baths are best known as the venue for the Timkat (Epiphany) celebrations each January. On the eve of Timkat, the pool is filled with water blessed by the priests, and on the morning of the festival thousands of white-robed worshippers crowd the site for the culmination of the ceremony. It is one of the most visually dramatic events in the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar.
For most of the year the baths are a quiet historic monument, peaceful and less visited than the enclosure. The pavilion and walls are in reasonable condition and the setting — trees, the old stonework, and views toward the hills — is attractive.