Debre Libanos

Debre Libanos Church and Monastery and the Portuguese Bridge lie about 110 km away from Addis Ababa on the road to Bahir Dar and Gondar. Debre Libanos was founded in 1284 by Ethiopian Saint Abune Tekle Haymanot, within a steep river canyon of the Jemma River. In 1520, Debre Libanos received the first Portuguese mission to Ethiopia. The famous Portuguese stone-arch bridge that spans the narrow gorge is believed to date from the 16th century, but is was actually built in the 1980s by Ras Darge in the old Portuguese style. From its very foundation, Debre Libanos grew in prestige and power until it surpassed all the other monasteries, not only thanks to the legendary personality of its founding saint, but also due to the permanent support of political power. Still today it is at the head of the monastic life in Ethiopia and an important pilgrimage destination. No trace of the 13th-century monastery remains. The present church was built in 1961 by Emperor Haile Selassie. It is monumental, with beautiful stained glass windows which are probably the most attractive feature of the church. But Debre Libanos has one of the most interesting church museums in Ethiopia. Besides the usual ecclesiastical items there are Italian guns, giant cooking pots, crowns of past emperors and their wives, musical instruments and an old wooden shackle.