skibriye
Debre Damo Monastery
The monastery of Debre Damo was founded atop this flat topped mountain in the 6th century at an elevation of 2216 meters above sea level and located just west of the town of Adigrat in Tigrai province of Ethiopia. The monastery is only accesible by rope up a sheer cliff, and is known for it's collection of fine manuscripts. The monastery was founded by a local sixth century saint named Abune Aregawi, and is home for the earliest existing church building in Ethiopia.
Abuna Aregawi (also called Za-Mika'el 'Aragawi) is a sixth century Syrian monk said to have founded the monastery Debre Damo, said to have been commissioned by Emperor Gebre Mesqel. He is one of the Nine Saints said to have furthered Christianity in Ethiopia after arriving from the middle east. Only males (both human and animal) are permited on Debre Damo.
Debre Damo Monastery was one of several places in Ethiopia that served as a place of detention for Princes of the Imperial blood. From ancient times, Princes of the Imperial family were kept under guard at such places to keep them from endangering the Emperor's throne by raising rebellions to overthrow him or from becoming tools to those who would use them as puppets to remove the reigning monarch. The practice ended in the mid 1800's. Other places used for this purpose at various times included the Monastery of St. Mary at Gishen in Wollo, Debre Wehni in Begemidir, and the Island of Dek in lake Tana.
Debre Damo Monastery
The monastery of Debre Damo was founded atop this flat topped mountain in the 6th century at an elevation of 2216 meters above sea level and located just west of the town of Adigrat in Tigrai province of Ethiopia. The monastery is only accesible by rope up a sheer cliff, and is known for it's collection of fine manuscripts. The monastery was founded by a local sixth century saint named Abune Aregawi, and is home for the earliest existing church building in Ethiopia.
Abuna Aregawi (also called Za-Mika'el 'Aragawi) is a sixth century Syrian monk said to have founded the monastery Debre Damo, said to have been commissioned by Emperor Gebre Mesqel. He is one of the Nine Saints said to have furthered Christianity in Ethiopia after arriving from the middle east. Only males (both human and animal) are permited on Debre Damo.
Debre Damo Monastery was one of several places in Ethiopia that served as a place of detention for Princes of the Imperial blood. From ancient times, Princes of the Imperial family were kept under guard at such places to keep them from endangering the Emperor's throne by raising rebellions to overthrow him or from becoming tools to those who would use them as puppets to remove the reigning monarch. The practice ended in the mid 1800's. Other places used for this purpose at various times included the Monastery of St. Mary at Gishen in Wollo, Debre Wehni in Begemidir, and the Island of Dek in lake Tana.