Mekele is a city in northern part of Ethiopia. It is the capital of the Tigray region. There is a historic palace of Yohannes IV at the northern edge of the city.The palace was built at the Emperor's command by Giacomo Naretti, who had served Yohannes at Debre Tabor, with the help of William Schimper, and completed in 1884. In 1872 Dejazmach Kassa of Tigray is crowned as Yohannes IV.

Yohannes was a committed Christian, Nationalist and a great military leader. When he builds his palace, he made sure the palace is surrounded by churches to show his dedication to Christianity until his death in 1889 at the battle of Metema.

The palace still stands and now serves as a museum, where the Emperor’s throne, royal bed, ceremonial dress, rifles and many other valuable historical collections can be seen.