Visit Ethiopia, Visit Tigray; Visit Atsbi

Mikael Debre Selam is undoubtedly one of the finest churches in its architectural design. It is a church with in a cave or, as Ivy Pearce referred to it, “a church within a church”. The central door leads in to the anteroom with three huge built columns, a beautiful freestanding arch and striking Aksumite “Sandwich Style” constructions (a layer of wood then a layer of stone, painted alternating in black and white). The woodwork of the door and window shutters is exquisitely decorated in geometrical patterns including swastika-like symbols. Especially the middle window shutter is decorated with a 15th century wooden painting of the Virgin Mary and the Child. The ends of the protruding part of the wooden beams are round in shape and their presence adds beauty to the church. It is also known for its wealth of paintings, which can be seen on the walls and arches of the sanctuary, if one asks the priests specifically for it (bring a torch!). The art influence, according to Pearce, is Byzantine but have also unique Ethiopian archtecture. It can be accessed by a 9 km gravel road north east of Atsbi plus a  approximately 200 meters road that every one walks on foot.