Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sider the walk up here very difficult (it's not!) and you'll probably have to negotiate a
higher price.
ISLANDS
Kebran Gabriel
Offline map
(admission Birr100)
Though the 17th-century church at Kebran Gabriel is beautiful, it's
no longer open to the public and the museums (one each for men and for women) have
nothing you won't see elsewhere. It's 20 minutes away by boat directly on the way to
Zege Peninsula, which is why guides encourage people to stop here. The small island next
door hosts the completely modern and, frankly, uninteresting
Entos Eyesu
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(admission Birr100)
, which offers the novelty of monks and nuns living together. The tiny
treasury has a few old books and pictures.
MONASTERY
Debre Maryam
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(admission Birr100, video came- ra Birr100)
The original 14th-century (some say 12th-
century) church at Debre Maryam was rebuilt by Tewodros in the 19th century. It's unat-
tractive both outside and in and the treasury is meagre. The main reason to visit is that
sometimes men make
tankwa
here. Also, it's across from the outlet of the Blue Nile. It's
15 minutes by boat and a short walk through coffee, mango and fig trees. In the dry sea-
son you can visit Debre Maryam by
tankwa
. Head north of Bahir Dar to just before the
Nile bridge and then walk west about 1km to the lake on the road with the family planning
sign. Locals pay Birr1.5 return, but you're unlikely to get it for less than Birr20.
MONASTERY
Narga Selassie
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(admission Birr100, video camera Birr100)
Set in the middle of the lake on Dek Island,
Narga Selassie is peaceful, atmospheric and little visited. Built in the mid-18th century, it
has a Gonderian influence and the fine original paintings include a portrait of Mentewab
and there's also a bas-relief of James Bruce (smoking his pipe) at the main entrance. It's
three hours by boat and a two-minute walk from the landing.
MONASTERY
Dega Estefanos
Offline map
MONASTERY
