This is the biggest and most modern town of the west with a green and friendly atmosphere. It was the capital of the kingdom of Jimma (founded in the 14th century) which became powerful by the trade of coffee and reached the summit of its wealth in the 19th century. The last king of Jimma was the powerful King Abba Jiffar (1878-1932) who built a palace in Jiren, 8 km. from Jimma. This palace is recently restored and can be visited daily.
The museum has an interesting collection of traditional arts and crafts, fine woodwork and musical instruments
