Ethiopia (April-May 2015)
6. Abuna Gebre Mikael and Debre Tsion Abuna Abraham
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To see all the waypoints in Google Earth, click here (.kmz file).
I
spent two nights at the Gheralta Lodge. During my
full day I visited two more churches: Abuna Gebre
Mikael and Debre Tsion Abuna Abraham. I approached these churches by car rented at
the lodge. Both lie on mountain tops requiring 40-50min foot ascents.
Rock
towers near the site of Abuna Gebre Mikael.
Abuna Gebre Mikael is carved into a small cliff at
the top of this rocky hill.
The
foot path to the church passes on the left of this large cliff...
...then follows the
bottom of a narrow trench (photo on the left), before reaching the upper part
of the hill (photo on the right).
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View
over the valley and the rock towers from the flat terrain in front of the
church.
Left:
from the outside the church is quite unassuming. Right: the priest opening the
church′s window.
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But
inside the church is stunning: the architecture is great and the paintings
covering the domed ceilings and the pillars are gorgeous, with unusual blue and
yellow colors. Of all the churches I have visited in Tigray, this is my
favorite.
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A
short coffee halt in Megab on my way to Debre Tsion Abuna Abraham.
The church Debre Tsion Abuna
Abraham lies at the top of this cliff. The foot path contours the hill on its
left, then goes to the top from the back.
Another
rocky mountain seen along the way, on the top of which the church of Yohannis Maikudi is carved.
Farm
and field behind the Debre Tsion Abuna Abraham hill.
View from the top of
the cliff where Debre Tsion Abuna Abraham is carved.
Facade
of Debre Tsion Abuna Abraham.
Floor
layout of the church.
The
core of the church is quite impressive by its size, but severely damaged by
humidity.
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Left:
ambulatory around the core of the church; the small door at the bottom-right of
the picture leads to the Abraham oratory (small circular room). Right: carved
wall in the Abraham oratory.
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Sections of the
trip (click on the
links below to access the corresponding webpages):
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2.
Maryam Hibeti to Abba Yohanni
and Gabriel Wukien
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3. Gabriel Wukien
to Axum via Damo Gellila
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6. Abuna Gebre
Mikael and Debre Tsion Abuna Abraham
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7.
Hawzen to Medhane Alem Adi Kasho via Abreha we Atsbeha
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