Visiting Ethiopian Churches

This work analyses the paintings of eight frequently visited churches which feature prominently in the Ethiopian tourism industry. These are the churches of Yimrhane Kirstos and Lalibela in Lasta, Abrha we Asbha and Aksum Maryam Tsion in Tigrai, Debre Sina Maryam on the northern shore of Lake Tana, Narga Sillasse and Ura Kidane Mihret in Lake Tana and Debre Birhan Sillasse in Gondar.Nowadays, along with some other attractions, the eight churches under review serve as Ethiopia's prime tourist draw. A typical Ethiopian cultural itinerary includes most of them.With the exception of most of the rock churches of Lalibela, paintings are an integral part of the churches under review. In five of them, namely Debre Sina Maryam, Narga Sillasse, Debre Birhan Sillasse, the old Aksum Maryam Tsion and Ura Kidane Mihret, the paintings are their prime attractions. Without the murals they would not have been able to draw international tourists.Ethiopian church art is characterized by the diversity of the subject matter. The eight frequently visited churches house diverse themes including Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the Trinity, Old Testament stories, Angels, Rider Saints and Ethiopian saints.