Tradition states that Gondar, the capital of the Ethiopian Empire, had 44 Orthodox Tewahedo churches. There are fewer churches in this list – Stuart Munro-Hay provides evidence that shows the number was meant to be taken symbolically, rather than literally – and not all of them are, properly speaking, in Gondar.Unless otherwise indicated, information for this list taken from Munro-Hay, Ethiopia, the unknown land: a cultural and historical guide (London: I.B. Tauris, 2002), pp. 142-156.
NameDate founded (if known)Comments Abba Antons ("Father Anthony") 1715 Located west of Gondar. Built under Emperor Yostos reign.Richard P.K. Pankhurst, History of Ethiopian Towns (Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner Verlag, 1982), pp. 144f. Original paintings removed in 1933 by Marcel Griaule, now on display at the Musée de l'Homme.David Buxton, The Abyssinians (New York: Praeger, 1970) p. 151 Abajale Tekle Haymanot Original church built during reign of Emperor Fasilides, and later underwent restoration under Emperor Tekle Haymanot II. The church is dedicated to Saint Tekle Haymanot.Richard K. P. Pankhurst, History of Ethiopian Towns (Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner Verlag, 1982), vol. 1 pp. 178f Abhorra Giyorgis Located 3 kilometers south of Gondar Abyegzi Original church founded by an aristocrat in the reign of Tekle Haymanot II. Present structure is a round church Adababay Iyasus Located in Adababay, the market place outside the southern gates of the Royal Enclosure. Founded by Emperor Fasilides.Munro-Hay, Ethiopia, pp. 140f Adababay Tekle Haymanot Located in Adababay. Founded by Emperor Iyasus IMunro-Hay, Ethiopia, p. 141 Asasame Qeddus Mikael Located inside the Royal Enclosure. Dedicated by Emperor Dawit II.Munro-Hay, Ethiopia, p. 140 Ba'eta Maryam 1775 Founded by Tekle Haymanot II. Was among the richest churches in Gondar until it was burnt to the ground in the sack of Gondar by Tewodros II in 1866. Rebuilt in the late 1920s.Aida Edemariam, The Wife's Tale, a personal history, 4th Estate, London, 2018 Qeddus Qirqos Located on southeast end of Adababay, and named after the child martyr Quiricus of Tarsus. Original church founded by Emperor Tekle Haymanot II Dafacha Kidane Mehret "Convent of Mercy" Founded by Bakaffa; by 1973 this church was in ruins Debre Berhan Selassie 1693 Best known of the churches of Gondar for its interior paintings. Avoided destruction by the Mahdists in 1888, this church "offers some idea of what other treasures might be in Gonder today had it not been for the Mahdist War."Philip Briggs, Ethiopia: The Bradt Travel Guide, 5th edition (Chalfont St Peters: Bradt, 2002), p. 233 Debre Metmaq Mariyam Founded by Emperor Tekle Giyorgis in late 18th century. Dibabo Also known as the "Church of the Apostles of Deva" Elfin Giyorgis Located inside the Royal Enclosure. Constructed by Emperor Fasilides. Ewostatewos Named for the Ethiopian saint. Founded by Bakaffa Egziabeher Ab Founded by Emperor Fasilides, but destroyed in the Mahdist sack of Gondar. According to Solomon Getahun, the site is now occupied by a mosque built during the reign of Emperor Menelik II.Solomon Getahun, History of the City of Gondar (Trenton: Africa World Press, 2005), pp. 17f Fit Qeddus Mikael Old church of St Michael, burned down in 1725. A modern round church stands on this site, although an old archway from the original church still stands The Four Saints Also known as the church of the Four Animals. Now vanished, but the site is marked by a fig tree. Gemjabet Mariyam Located inside the Royal Enclosure. Constructed by Emperor Fasilides.Munro-Hay, Ethiopia, p. 139 St. George of Damot Burned down in 1695 Hamara Noh ("Noah's Ark") 1710 Also known as Selestu Mit. Founded by Emperor Tewoflos. Mentioned numerous times in the 18th century, this church since vanished without a visible trace. Hawaryat By 1938, all that remained were traces of the enclosure wall and a mound of stones. St. John of Guara Perhaps founded by one of the relatives of Empress Mentewab Lideta Mariyam ("Birth of the Virgin Mary") 1713 The first of two churches constructed under Emperor Yostos. Mariyam Seyon Munro-Hay doubts this church ever existed Mariyam Sihor Church southwest of Gondar Medhane Alem Seat of the Ethiopian Orthodox bishop of Gondar St. Mikael of Aira Unidentified St. Mikael of Belageo Also known as Bilajig Mikael Peter and Paul Unidentified Qaha Iyasus church May have existed before the founding of Gondar. Qeddus Abbo Also known as Fit Abbo. First church built by Emperor Fasilides in Gondar. Qeddus Fasilides Munro-Hay believes this "was actually nothing other than a re-use of the pavilion in the lake usually called the Bath of Fasiladas." Qeddus Gabrael Original church said to have been built by Emperor Fasilides; location now occupied by a large square church. Solomon Getahun notes this was the seat of the Abuna, and served as a refuge for asylum-seekers. The Abuna moved his residence to Medhane Alem (see above) during the Italian occupation.Solomon Getahun, City of Gondar, pp. 22, 31 Qeddus Rafael 1722 Adjacent to the Royal Enclosure. Burned during unrest in Iyasus II's reign; present structure a new building Qeddus Yohannes Built by Ras Wolde Leul during the reign of Iyasu II, currently all that remains of this structure is the stone-built pedestal. Reconstruction planned. St Simeon of Tzaamdi Munro-Hay suggests two different churches this might be: either a church of Samuel southwest of Gondar, or the church of "Tzemba" located on the Lesser Angereb Wolleka Ba'ata Located three kilometers north of Gondar Wrangeb Giyorgis May have existed before founding of GondarSolomon Getahun, City of Gondar, p. 3 Yohannes Wolde Nagwadgwad Founded by Emperor Tekle Haymanot II, dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist.
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