About 2km west of the Royal Enclosure, on a hill called Kusquam, stands a separate palace compound built by Empress Mentewab in the 1730s. Mentewab was one of the most powerful women in Ethiopian history — she served as regent for her son Iyasu II and effectively ruled the empire for decades. She built the Kusquam complex as her own royal retreat, separate from the main enclosure.
The complex includes a two-storey castle, a church, and a banqueting hall, all in a style that evolved from the original Fasilidas tradition but shows a lighter, more ornate touch. The church of Kusquam is still active and contains murals in the Gondarene style.
The site is less visited than the main enclosure, which gives it a quieter atmosphere. The hilltop position provides good views toward the Simien Mountains on clear days. A half-day combining Kusquam with the Fasilidas Baths (also to the west of centre) makes a good alternative to the more-trodden enclosure route.