The Abyssinian Expedition: Adowa, from the road to Axum, 1868. Adowa, or Adwa, the chief town of Tigre [Tigray, Ethiopia]...contains nearly 10,000 inhabitants, and is prettily situated on the ridge of a hill. There are some trees about the place, and a clear stream flows through the valey, affording a plentiful supply of water and beautiful pasture. The houses are substantially built of stone and mud, and a high wall surrounds each dwelling...There are no streets, as we use the term, only lanes, narrow and winding, and not remarkable for cleanliness. There is no fort, nor any palace, and no public buildings, except a convent and three churches. The better class of natives build one-story houses. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.