Monastery of Abba Garima

Northern Ethiopia

In the mountains about 5km due east of Adwa, the monastery of Abba Garima is said to have been founded by one of the Nine Saints in the 6th century. It’s known for its collection of religious artefacts, including what may be Ethiopia’s two oldest manuscripts, perhaps dating to sometime between AD 330 and AD 650. They’re kept in a proper museum in glass cases along with a few old crosses, crowns, robes etc.

The main church has modern paintings, mostly behind plastic sheeting, but the geometric ceiling paintings are an unusual sight.

Head 6km south of Adwa before turning east for the final 2.5km.

Suggest an edit to this attraction

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Northern Stelae Field

15.8 MILES

Despite the dizzying grandeur of the numerous rock needles reaching for the stars, it’s what’s under your feet here that’s most important. Amazingly,…
Abba Pentalewon

14.54 MILES

High above Aksum, on top of a tall, narrow peak, is Abba Pentalewon monastery. Tradition states it was built by Abba Pentalewon, one of the Nine Saints…
Ark of the Covenant Chapel

15.83 MILES

In between the old and new St Mary of Zion churches is the real reason for most people’s devotion: a tiny, carefully guarded chapel that houses what most…
St Mary of Zion Churches Complex

15.84 MILES

Though religions have come and gone, Aksum has always remained a holy city – welcome to the centre of the universe for Christian Ethiopians. A church of…
Arabtu Ensessa Church

15.97 MILES

The ‘Four Beasts’ Church, named after the writers of the Biblical Gospels, was rebuilt in the 1950s and is worth a look for the wonderful murals (most…
Gobodura Hill

18.46 MILES

A site known as Wuchate Golo is one of Aksum's four ancient quarries, the birthplace of the famous stelae. Several stelae (all unmarked) were almost…
Old Church of St Mary of Zion

15.84 MILES

The rectangular, men-only old church at the southern end of the complex of churches here is a remarkable example of traditional architecture built by the…
King Bazen's Tomb

15.39 MILES

Despite being the crudest of tombs, roughly hewn into solid rock instead of constructed with fine masonry, this place has a slightly magical feel…

View more attractions

Nearby Northern Ethiopia attractions

1. Monument

4.11 MILES

On the Aksum side of town is a monument to the victims of, and victors over, the Derg.

2. Abba Pentalewon

14.54 MILES

High above Aksum, on top of a tall, narrow peak, is Abba Pentalewon monastery. Tradition states it was built by Abba Pentalewon, one of the Nine Saints…

3. Abba Liqanos

14.85 MILES

On the way to Abba Pentalewon you’ll pass Abba Liqanos (men only), which was supposedly built by one of the Nine Saints and boasts excellent views. But…

4. Animal Market

15.05 MILES

The animal market, south of town, is one of the biggest in the north. It’s ripe with donkeys, goats, sheep and cows, but no camels. These are only sold…

5. Tombs of Kings Kaleb & Gebre Meskel

15.08 MILES

Set on a small hill 1.8km northeast of the Northern Stelae Field and offering views of the jagged mountains of Adwa are these two tombs that local…

6. King Bazen's Tomb

15.39 MILES

Despite being the crudest of tombs, roughly hewn into solid rock instead of constructed with fine masonry, this place has a slightly magical feel…

7. Ezana Park

15.52 MILES

A rather ugly tin-roofed hut in this central park holds a stone with identical text to King Ezana’s Inscription, but it’s in poorer condition and in a…

8. King Ezana's Inscription

15.56 MILES

On the way up to the tombs of Kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskel, you’ll pass a small shack containing a remarkable find that three farmers stumbled upon in…

View more attractions