due to the presence of sebara deldel, one of only two bridges across the abay river until the late 19th century, mota became a major commercial center, which was described by at least one group of european travellers as "the most considerable market" in gojjam; it attracted merchants from as far away as begemder, gondar and tigray. to reinstate the commerce prior to the bridge being broken, bridges to prosperity is building a 100-meter suspended pedestrian bridge to provide safe access those crossing the river are able to obtain cotton cloth, cattle, and horses. likewise, mota was the seat of an important royal fiefdom during the gondarine period, and a notable place for asylum in the early 19th century.