Tana Cherkos


It’s said the Ark of the Covenant was hidden at Tana Cherkos for 800 years, which would seem to indicate it’s an interesting destination, but the present 19th-century church and its modern paintings are rather modest. Its unique feature is its ancient Judaic sacrificial stones. Tana Cherkos is 2½ hours from Bahir Dar by boat. From the landing it’s a 30-minute walk uphill.


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1. Mitsele Fasiladas

1.97 MILES

Because most of the treasures of Mitsele Fasiladas (on an island just south of Tana Cherkos and a short walk from the landing) were stolen in the 1990s,…

2. Dega Estefanos

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One of the lake’s most sacred monasteries, Dega Estefanos (men only) was rebuilt in the mid-19th century and though the church isn’t too interesting, it…

3. Narga Selassie

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4. Bete Maryam

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5. Zeghie Satekela Museum

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6. Azuwa Maryam

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7. Ura Kidane Meret

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8. Bete Giorgis

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