Scattered across the Axumite landscape, these rock-cut fruit presses mirror ancient wine-making techniques from Syria. Carved with precision, they feature an upper basin where grapes were crushed, allowing the juice to flow into a lower collection chamber designed for refining the liquid. Their craftsmanship speaks to the ingenuity of Aksum’s agricultural past.
Yet, these presses are not just relics of industry—they are deeply woven into Ethiopian myth and legend. Stories tell of Arwe, the serpent-king, who feasted from these basins, while some versions intertwine his tale with the Queen of Sheba, suggesting she overcame the serpent to claim Aksum’s throne. This serpent motif echoes through Ethiopian folklore, from Za-Mika’el’s legendary ascent to Debra Damo to the iconic tale of St. George and the dragon.
This route winds back toward Aksum’s sacred heart, passing the tomb attributed to King Menelik I before culminating at the Chapel of the Ark of the Covenant, a fitting end to a journey blending history, faith, and legend.