africa is a continent full of wonder some known to man and many are to be discovered in celebration
of our continent's beauty and mystique we'll be looking at some of the wonders it has to hold
welcome to the mysteries of africa series where we take a look at africa's most mysterious sights
and sounds before we continue please take the time to subscribe and hit the notification bell
in today's video we take you to ethopia at the shores of lake tana hide a number of monasteries
that for years have been guarding treasures from foreign intruders and against the passage of time
for those who know where to find it it only takes a boat ride to reach them for those who don't
it remains a mystery the lake tana area has always held great importance in the 14th 15th and 16th
centuries it played the role of maintaining the christian faith against contemporary pressures
many of the earliest manuscripts and precious examples of art as well as royal objects
were safely stored on its island lake tana is home to about 37 islands 20 of these
islands shelter churches and monasteries of significant historical and cultural interests
once you get off the boat and decide which monastery you'd like to visit a friendly
priest welcomes all the visitors and is happy to show you the ancient manuscripts stored there
the monasteries reflect the native building traditions with their round shape materials
used and building techniques each one consists of three parts the inner sanctuary
the inner ambulatory and the out ambulatory some of the churches on the island include debre mariam
da gastefanos narga selassie tanacherkos gabriel unfortunately although it is said to be one of the
most beautiful and atmospheric of the monasteries of lake tana island cabrillo gabriel is no longer
open to the public it was founded in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 17th century the
island is also home to a number of birds if you're a bad lover you should make a point of visiting
the island near the eastern side of the lake is a breeding base for a number of wetland species
lake tana islands are also home to one of the most precious hidden gems turner circus is a small
island monastery where it is said that the ark of the covenant was hidden for 800 years before
being brought to its final resting place in aksum what more better way to add mystery to the islands
if you wish to plan a trip to any of the churches you can easily do so by hiring a
boat from the maritime transport authority based in bahir dal the nearest monastery
quebrand gabriel is about two hours round trip
definitely worth it what are your thoughts about today's video is this a place you'd love to add
your bucket list let us know in the comments down below have you ever been there we'd love to hear
your experience let us know any other mysterious places you'd love us to cover thank you for
watching if you haven't subscribed please do so and hit the notification bell if you've enjoyed
today's video be sure to give it a thumbs up also make sure to watch our other videos we celebrate
our mama africa we have the mysteries of africa series and the amazing people of africa series
clips used in this video are from habesha traveller be sure to head on over to her
channel and check her out she has amazing african travel content link to her channel shall be in the
description below it's been me linda from tuna travel be sure to check out my youtube channel
until the next video stay safe and remember africa is watching