Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
monks, who are entirely self-sufficient. They grow their own crops, raise their own live-
stock (all male) and have water reservoirs hewn deep into the rock.
Its remarkable Abuna Aregawi church is likely the oldest standing church in the coun-
try (10th or 11th century AD) and possibly all of Africa. Thanks to a major restoration in
1948 it's in excellent condition, but still has a truly ancient feel. It's an almost prototypical
example of Aksumite architecture and features the same style of doors and windows
found on Aksum's stelae. Notable are the beams and ceiling, famously decorated with
carved wooden panels depicting Ethiopian wild animals. Debre Damo has long been used
as a safeguard for religious treasures and its collection includes some of Ethiopia's oldest
illuminated manuscripts .
THE NINE SAINTS
Though it was Abba Salama who first brought the Christian faith to Ethiopia in the year AD 330, he didn't make
great inroads into converting the masses. Instead this task was left to a group of wandering holy men who were
eventually to become known as the Nine Saints. In the 5th century they arrived in Ethiopia from the Middle East
and each chose a mountaintop on which to construct a monastery and preach the new religion. All nine are fre-
quent subjects of church paintings.
Getting There & Away
There's no public transport to Debre Damo, although any transport on the Aksum-Adigrat
road can drop you at the well-signposted junction. From there it's a toasty 14.5km (around
three hours') walk. Catching rides to Adwa, Adigrat or Aksum from the junction is tough
in the late afternoon. If there's a group of you, it's easiest to hire a minibus in Aksum or
Adigrat. Debre Damo is usually a first-day stop on Tigray rock-hewn church tours out of
Aksum.
Passing deep canyons and terraced barley fields, the road running southeast of Debre
Damo towards Adigrat is a contender for Ethiopia's most beautiful drive.
Adigrat
POP 69,700 / ELEV 2475M
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