Leopoldo Traversi

Leopoldo Rafaelle Traversi was an Italian explorer, physician, and medical missionary renowned for his management of the Lēt Marefīya medical and political outpost and his geographic and anthropological exploration of the southern regions of Ethiopia.

Early life Leopoldo Traversi was born on 30 October 1856 in Piancastagnaio, Siena, Tuscany to Antonio Traversi and Elvira Babini. Traversi studied medicine in Florence, Italy (29 September 1882) and became a medical lieutenant in the Royal Italian Army. During his early career, he befriended Augusto Boutourlin (son of the Russian Count Dmitry Petrovich Boutourlin) and launched an expedition to Ethiopia in 1870 for medical and geographic exploratory purposes. Boutourlin fell ill quickly and passed away a few years later.

Traversi was the first European to explore the source of the Awash River. Additionally, he outlined the specific location of Lake Ziway.

He was able to undergo these expeditions under Ethiopian royal protection due to his close relationship with Emperor Menelik II, serving as the emperor's personal physician at times.

In July 1887, Traversi’s southernmost expedition led to the mapping of rivers and lakes in the Jimma region. Traversi was accompanied by King Abba Jifar II at points throughout the journey.

Traversi was given additional political responsibilities in 1890-1894 which hindered medical and geographic capabilities. Traversi was granted a gold medal by the Instituto Coloniale Italiano. Lēt Marefīya was abandoned by the Italians in 1895, now part of the Ankober Debre Sina Encarpment, a Key Biodiversity Area due to its unique flora and fauna.

Traversi died on January 3, 1949 in his home in Rome, Italy at the age of 93. Traversi’s memoirs and photographs lent a unique perspective on the communities in early Ethiopia and his medical expertise provided lifesaving care to the Lēt Marefīya community.