Debre Damo

Debre damo is one of church in Tigray region which is built during the 5th century for Abune Aregawi who is one of the nine saints. The monastery is built on the hill top and only men monks are living there.

Situated at a top mountain all surrounded by a high hill, and allowed only for men to climb, this is the oldest monastery in Ethiopia with priceless manuscripts and unique handmade architecture.

This monastery was one of the highlights of my trip to the region. Getting up there is no easy feat, as it involves a climb with nothing but a rope. Seeing a monk run up the cliff using the rope in a matter of seconds was quite the sight to see as well. Do be warned that they place their dead in a cave up there from what I was told, so there was a distinctive odour in one part of the mountain.

Out of all the monasteries we saw in the north circle/Historic circle in Ethiopia this was the most exciting (Not the prettiest but exciting..) In order to get to the church and monastery you have to climb a 5 or 6 meter climb using a rope. you pay to the monk who secures you 100 birr (silver) and usually someone will offer there help to secure/tie you for another 100 if you know how to secure yourself refuse politely. if you are doing wrong they will adjust and fix your tie for free. Once you climb (You'll have to climb down, this is when I paid the monk) A guide will take you to a church and you'll pay an entry fee (Either 100 or 50 birr) and then you will get a tour of the church and the surrounding. you'll go to the bell tower and see the amazing view and will get an explanation of the monastery. then my guide took me to the burial are and explained about the burial ceremonies of the monks which are really interesting. I also got to eat some Cactus fruit straight from the cactus at the burial area) and then I went to climb down. I think the entire experience is roughly 25$ sadly women/girls can not go to the church some will say they can go up to the church, but make sure they don't mean just to climb the rock. Its not the most glamorous but after so many churches the challenge was refreshing and interesting

Best monastery for orthodox christian worshippers it is celebrated annually on Oct 24 very nice view from the top hard to climb male only access to the main church because of religious reasons

Debre Damo is one of the most important Ethiopian monasteries and is thought to date back to Aksumite kingdom time and the 6th-century reign King Gebre Meskel. The monastery's formidable cliffs make for one of Ethiopia's most memorable experiences. In order to climb, you will need to scale a sheer 15m cliff, and there is a thick leather rope aimed to help you climb and the monks will tie a second line around your torso and pull you up.

I visited Debre Dammo several times in the late 1960’s - early 1970’s. It was a remarkable place that preserved in addition to numerous traditional structures a church built in the Aksumite style of architecture, one of very few surviving from that period. I am horror-stricken at the news of the destruction on this irreparable historic site.

Debre damo abune aregawi monastery is a 6th century monastery! It is a religious place of Orthodox tewahdo church! It is found on northern Ethiopia in tigray! Ethiopia is living now by the prayer of the monks that live in this & other places! Orthodox tewahdo forever!!!!