History of Bishoftu
Bishoftu is a young town of 70 years of age. It was founded in 1937 by Italian invaders as a center of colonization and as an experimental region for agricultural activities.
A Resort Town
Bishoftu is a resort town which is known for having seven crater lakes that are enclosed by steep escarpment which gives the lakes panoramic views: Lake Bishoftu , Lake Hora Arsedi (the largest lake of the town), Lake Bishoftu Guda, Lake Kuriftu, Lake Babogaya (located in the outskirt of the town and convenient for many sporting activities), Lake Kilole (also called Green Lake “Arenguade Haike” because of presence of Green algae) and Lake Chelelaka. Lake Balbala is an artificial or manmade lake situated in the town. These lakes are places where the majority of resort hotels are located and different recreational activities are taking place.
Hub of Ethiopian Air force
Ethiopian Air Force has a history which is tightly woven with the history of Bishoftu. It is established in 1946 following assigning of Bole Airport to Ethiopian Airlines, the civilcCivil Aviation of the country. The Air force base is constructed by Swedish Instructors and Ethiopian Cadets. The first 6 saab 91 safir training airplanes were bought from Sweden and flown to the air base in 24th of Dec, 1947 to start the training career. Currently, Bishoftu Air Force base plays significant role in the social, economic and political activities of the town.
Emperor Haile Selassie’s Palace
Bishoftu was a favored weekend destination for his majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie. Consequently, he built his palace which is named ‘Fairfield’ in the town, after his wartime home in exile in the town of Bath, England. The palace was constructed at the shore of Lake Hora.
Bishoftu Industrial Growth
It’s close proximity to the capital city, Addis Ababa, and it’s position on the road to Djibouti, makes it a hub for industrial development. The industries that are established in Bishoftu Town includes Bishoftu Automotive and Locomotive Industry, Bishoftu Motorization Engineering Complex, Gafat Armament Engineering Complex, and other business include Elfora Agroindustry Export Abattoir, Adda Flour and Pasta Factory, Pasqua Giuseppe Aluminum and Metal Works, Salmida Leather Product Manufacturing and Win rock International Ethiopia.
Bishoftu as a Tourist Destination
With its increasing distinction as a recreational center which is located an hour drive from the capital city, Bishoftu town’s tourism activity has been showing promising growth in recent years. Moreover, the development of within town hotels, gust houses and pensions, and lake side resort hotels and lodges with encouraging conference facilities, makes the town more and more preferred for mix of visitors; Ethiopian week-enders, foreign resident week-enders, business and conference travelers as well as international leisure tourists.
A Resort Town
Bishoftu is a resort town which is known for having seven crater lakes that are enclosed by steep escarpment which gives the lakes panoramic views: Lake Bishoftu , Lake Hora Arsedi (the largest lake of the town), Lake Bishoftu Guda, Lake Kuriftu, Lake Babogaya (located in the outskirt of the town and convenient for many sporting activities), Lake Kilole (also called Green Lake “Arenguade Haike” because of presence of Green algae) and Lake Chelelaka. Lake Balbala is an artificial or manmade lake situated in the town. These lakes are places where the majority of resort hotels are located and different recreational activities are taking place.
Hub of Ethiopian Air force
Ethiopian Air Force has a history which is tightly woven with the history of Bishoftu. It is established in 1946 following assigning of Bole Airport to Ethiopian Airlines, the civilcCivil Aviation of the country. The Air force base is constructed by Swedish Instructors and Ethiopian Cadets. The first 6 saab 91 safir training airplanes were bought from Sweden and flown to the air base in 24th of Dec, 1947 to start the training career. Currently, Bishoftu Air Force base plays significant role in the social, economic and political activities of the town.
Emperor Haile Selassie’s Palace
Bishoftu was a favored weekend destination for his majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie. Consequently, he built his palace which is named ‘Fairfield’ in the town, after his wartime home in exile in the town of Bath, England. The palace was constructed at the shore of Lake Hora.
Bishoftu Industrial Growth
It’s close proximity to the capital city, Addis Ababa, and it’s position on the road to Djibouti, makes it a hub for industrial development. The industries that are established in Bishoftu Town includes Bishoftu Automotive and Locomotive Industry, Bishoftu Motorization Engineering Complex, Gafat Armament Engineering Complex, and other business include Elfora Agroindustry Export Abattoir, Adda Flour and Pasta Factory, Pasqua Giuseppe Aluminum and Metal Works, Salmida Leather Product Manufacturing and Win rock International Ethiopia.
Bishoftu as a Tourist Destination
With its increasing distinction as a recreational center which is located an hour drive from the capital city, Bishoftu town’s tourism activity has been showing promising growth in recent years. Moreover, the development of within town hotels, gust houses and pensions, and lake side resort hotels and lodges with encouraging conference facilities, makes the town more and more preferred for mix of visitors; Ethiopian week-enders, foreign resident week-enders, business and conference travelers as well as international leisure tourists.