Debre Libanos Monastery: A Spiritual Haven

Debre Libanos, an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo monastery, is situated in the North Shewa Zone of the Oromia Region, northwest of Addis Ababa. Founded in 1284 by Saint Tekle Haymanot, originally as Debre Atsbo, it was later renamed Debre Libanos in the 15th century. The monastery holds immense religious and historical importance, having served as a prominent center of the Ethiopian Church for nearly 500 years. The Ichege, the monastery's chief abbot, was the second most powerful figure in the Ethiopian Church, after the Abuna. Today, Debre Libanos provides a tranquil escape with scenic woodlands and streams. However, this serene location witnessed a brutal massacre in 1937 during the Italian occupation, when Fascist troops attacked and destroyed the monastery, killing hundreds of monks, deacons and lay people. A monument now stands in front of the church to commemorate these victims. Although the original 13th-century structures are gone, the current buildings include a church over Tekle Haymanot's tomb, commissioned by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1961, and the Church of the Cross, believed to house a fragment of the True Cross. Visitors can also explore Tekle Haymanot's cave, where he prayed for many years, and see the holy water source. The monastery museum displays a collection of religious artifacts, including ancient bibles, crosses, and imperial crowns. Debre Libanos is not only a place of worship but also a place of natural beauty. The monastery sits on a terrace between a cliff and a gorge, offering stunning views of the Blue Nile's tributaries. Nearby, the Portuguese Bridge provides picturesque scenery with waterfalls and the Jemma River gorge. The area is also home to the endemic Gelada baboons.