Debre Damo

14.37472222222239.291944444444Koordinaten: 14 ° 22 ' 29 " N, 39 ° 17' 31" E

The Debre Damo monastery is located in northern Ethiopia, west of Adigrat in the Tigrayregion. Debre Damo was how Wehni and Amba Geshen, used as a royal prison for heirs to the Negus.

The monastery can be reached only by a rope that is stretched along the 24 -meter-high rock. It is known for its collection of manuscripts and the first built in Ethiopia Church. It is assumed that the monastery was founded in the 6th century by Abuna Aregawi. The multiple converted convent building dates back to the 9th century.

The exterior walls consist of alternating layers of wood and limestone that were with protruding tree stumps, which are called by the locals monkey heads fitted.

When one enters the church, one sees only to the narthex. On the floor there are wood carvings, peacocks, monkeys, lions, and some mythical creatures show. The nature of the work is reminiscent of a Romanesque church. The stones that support the roof of the nave are remains from Aksum, where the needs of the establishment of the church by breaking the aksumischen style.

The monastery is visited despite its remote location regularly by tourists.