Istifanos Monastery, Ethiopian Orthodox monastery at Lake Hayq, Ethiopia
The stone buildings of Istifanos Monastery stand on the shores of Lake Hayq, surrounded by mountains at an elevation of 2,030 meters.
Founded in the 9th century by Aksumite king Dil Na'od, the monastery underwent a transformation in the 13th century under Saint Iyasus Mo'a and Emperor Yekuno Amlak.
The monastery maintains traditional Ethiopian Orthodox practices and houses religious manuscripts, including a Gospel book from 1280 and a restored 15th-century icon.
The monastery requires advance arrangements for visits, and travelers need to coordinate with local guides to access the remote location near Lake Hayq.
In 1531, raiders used wooden rafts with cow-skin air sacs to cross Lake Hayq and reach the monastery, leading monks to surrender their valuables.
Location: Wollo Province
GPS coordinates: 11.33870,39.69750
Latest update: June 17, 2025 18:51
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