The most beautiful religious buildings Abbi-Addi

The church is only revealed at the last moment (perhaps hence its name "Hidden Mary"), near a small cloister. While the columned façade is imposing, the dark, damp interior - no doubt due to the sacred water basin it houses - is devoid of decoration. Before setting off on your walk, it's a good idea to make sure that the priest will accept your visit, for which permission is sometimes required. To reach the sanctuary, drive to Werkamba, 20 km north of Abbi-Addi on the road to Adwa, then to Adiha 14 km further on. From there, it's a 1-hour walk.

Hidden in the greenery, 16 km from Abbi-Addi on the road to Adwa, the monastery church dominates a superb panorama. The entrance door is entirely painted, but poorly preserved. The iconography depicts the Annunciation protected by archangels, the three martyrs of Babylon and, higher up, the Trinity and enigmatic figures. The three-aisled interior is magnificently carved, leading some specialists to suggest that the monument dates from the ^15th century. For priests, there is no doubt that the church is contemporary with King Gabra Masqal (^6th century).