Gondar, the Simien mountains feet, was founded by Fasilidas in s. XVII, and was a political, administrative, commercial, religious and cultural center for over 250 years. Its decline as a result of intrigues and dynastic struggles, worsened when Tewodoros II moved the seat of the imperial government to Debre Tabor, 100 km southeast. Later, the city was sacked by the Mahdist Sudanese during the s. XIXI, and finally occupied by Italian fascist troops in World War II. Some buildings were damaged by the bombing of the Royal Air Force during the liberation campaign.