Debre Birhan Selassie Church image

Debre Birhan Selassie Church

Tourist attraction Orthodox church

One of the Best Places To Visits in Wolleka


Address

JF7J+245, Gondar, Ethiopia

Contact

+251 91 102 1308

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (133 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 8 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Saturday: 8 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Sunday: 8 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Monday: 8 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 8 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 8 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Thursday: 8 AM to 5:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: church (36) paintings (17) beautiful (15) walls (10) Gondar (9) ceiling (8) Ethiopian (8) century (7) visit (7) interesting (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 tadlo t. 3 years ago on Google • 4 reviews
    Was interesting, unforgettable movement, amazing place and fell to good, peace. Debire Birhan Selassie Church, meaning 'Trinity and Mountain of Light' is the most famous place of worship in Gondar. On approach, twelve rounded stone towers - representing the 12 apostles - stand stoically guarding the church, as they have done for centuries. The 13th tower, the tallest of the bunch, represents the Lion of Judah. Eagle-eyed visitors can see an imprint of the Lion on the top half of the tower. Originally built in the 17th century by Emperor Eyasu II, the present structure was redeveloped during the 1880s following a raid by marauding Sudanese Dervishes and lightning strike that reduced the original building to rubble.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 CK C. 9 months ago on Google • 1069 reviews
    Extraordinary church dating back to 17th century but was re-developed in 19th century when original was destroyed. The exterior is beautiful and rustic and the interior is filled with stunning colourful murals. Marvelous church with lots of local history, culture and flavour. Definitely worth a visit to see something that is unique
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Master M. 4 years ago on Google • 102 reviews
    An ancient and beautiful church with full of wall and roof painting known for its second Gondarian style. The biblical scenes are vividly remarkable and the interior paintings cover the walls and ceilings in richly applied red, blue and golden hues. Subjects include the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, seated above Christ on the Cross. There are a lot of stories attached with these paintings. It is an Stone building
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hilena T. 3 years ago on Google • 266 reviews
    The most amazing church in Gonder. The paintings on the ceiling are superb.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bethelhem T. 2 years ago on Google
    With in this year it will be my 5th time that I visit this church. So every one should do the same.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 V C. 5 years ago on Google • 736 reviews
    Lovely church. Be respectful of their customs: shoes off, separate entrances for men and women, no chewing, no flash photography. We went during a service but were allowed to look around the church. Detailed paintings cover all of the walls and ceilings.

  • 5/5 kaleab h. 1 year ago on Google • 12 reviews
    Breathtaking historic church from the 1600s E.C
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 HHBenfica 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Stone church with beautiful paintings. The oldest from the 17th century. You can take it with you when you are here. However, I'm through here after 30-35 minutes. The inside of the church is relatively dusty. (Original) Kirche aus Stein mit schönen Malereien. Die ältesten aus dem 17. Jahrhundert. Kann man mitnehmen, wenn mal schon mal hier ist. Allerdings ist mir hier nach 30-35 Minuten durch. Innen ist die Kirche relativ staubig.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wesenyelew D. 5 years ago on Google
    It was the best place I have ever been Every one should see that one.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Getneት T. 4 years ago on Google
    Early and interested place. waw ..i ....
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alberto Reguillo de L. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A walled church, on the outside is simple, rectangular in shape with one of its rounded bottoms. Inside it has impressive paintings, scenes from the bible on the walls, and angels on the ceiling. (Original) Una iglesia amurallada, por fuera es sencilla, de planta rectangular con uno de sus fondos redondeado. Por dentro tiene unas pinturas impresionantes, escenas de la biblia en las paredes, y ángeles en el techo.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Muluken G. 4 years ago on Google
    Colorful historic church of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity in Gondar. The paintings on the ceiling are superb
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gabri S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A truly distinctive Ethiopian Orthodox church, one of the most beautiful in Ethiopia, offers a very characteristic setting with its twelve towers and a wall. The paintings inside are among the most beautiful views, the representation of hell is unmissable. From the center of Gondar just take a tuk tuk and in 5 min you will be on site. You can't skip this place if you go around here. (Original) Chiesa ortodossa etiope davvero caratteristica, tra le più belle dell'Etiopia, offre uno scenario molto caratteristico con le sue dodici torri ed un muro di cinta. Le pitture all'interno sono tra le più belle viste, la rappresentazione dell'inferno é imperdibile. Dal centro di Gondar basta prendere un tuk tuk ed in 5 min sarete sul luogo. Non si può saltare questo luogo se si passa da queste parti.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anindya K. 1 year ago on Google
    Much has been told about the church already. I want to add a point for nature lovers. Please look around the yard and trees- various interesting birds are found!!! As for example- an owl in high wall small cavern
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mardi W. 5 years ago on Google
    Very mice church with beautiful fresco
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amare Lema Z. 3 years ago on Google
    Aboute The Histery of Amhara
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ali H. 5 years ago on Google
    Actually my Ethiopian trip was a turn off for me but one of the few highlights in my trip was Debre Birhan Selassie Church. The authenticity was impressive. Totally worth a visit if you pass or stay in Gondar.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mal333 6 years ago on Google • 301 reviews
    This is a stunning traditional church in Gondar. Externally the church has beautiful stone walls and wooden arched doors. But it is the internal areas that are particularly interesting, with extensive sacred Ethiopian art. This is where you will find the original paintings of angels on the ceiling. You are also likely to see an Ethiopian Orthodox Church priest clothed in white with a hand cross.

  • 5/5 Martin D. 4 years ago on Google • 293 reviews
    Beautiful paintings and the walk around the church is lovely.

  • 5/5 Samuel guide G. 2 months ago on Google • 65 reviews New
    The most beautiful church and also the paintings realy amazing

  • 5/5 bubu v. 4 months ago on Google • 32 reviews
    Nice place to visit

  • 5/5 Matthias L. 2 months ago on Google • 24 reviews New
    Debrebirhan Silase church Is located in North Gonder Ethiopia, it's world's heritage site! Built-in 17th century!

  • 5/5 Sollomon S. 9 months ago on Google • 9 reviews
    Debre Birhan Trinity

  • 5/5 Faizanul H. 5 years ago on Google
    Very old church. Nice architecture.

  • 5/5 khaled Y. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Magnificent ; one of the few churches that survived destruction by the Mehdits from neighboring Sudan. She is surely the most beautiful with her natural paintings and her painted wooden ceiling and the angels who watch over the believers. All the walls are covered with original paintings retracing the life of Jesus and the saints. Faces in the front are the good people and those in profile are the bad; way of explaining religious stories to people (at the time illiterate). (Original) Magnifique ; une des rares églises qui ont survécues à la destruction par les Mehdites venant du Soudan voisin. Elle est sûrement la plus belle avec ses peintures naturelles et son plafond en bois peint et les anges qui surveillent les croyants. Tous les murs sont couverts de peintures originales retraçant la vie de jesus et des saints. Les visages de face sont les bonnes personnes et ceux de profil sont les mauvais; façon d'expliquer aux gens ( à l'époque analphabètes) les récits religieux.

  • 4/5 Alain A. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The importance of this church lies not only in its exterior architecture, but also under its roof or we can admire the winged silhouettes of 80 angels and or cherubs watching visitors with an enigmatic expression, each face has a unique feature that the distinguishes from the rest. You must also admire the religious scenes reproduced on the side walls. (Original) L'importance de cette église se situe non seulement dans son architecture extérieure, mais aussi sous son toit ou nous pouvons admirer les silhouettes ailées de 80 anges et ou des chérubins surveillant les visiteurs avec une expression énigmatique, chaque face a une caractéristique unique qui la distingue du reste. Il faut également admirer les scènes religieuses reproduites sur les murs latéraux.

  • 5/5 Brook D. 2 years ago on Google
    Must be visited at-least twice just to get a grip on the depth of the historical and cultural richness

  • 5/5 Nuhamin E. 5 years ago on Google
    The church is easily accessible via local transport and is a quiet and beautiful structure with a meticulously painted interior. The paintings on the walls and ceiling were painted by one monk using natural dyes found locally. The priest at this church is very knowledgeable and kind. I recommend taking an Amharic interpreter in lieu of hiring a guide.

  • 5/5 carmen s. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Fabulous paintings (Original) Las pinturas fabulosas

  • 5/5 Tomasz D. 5 years ago on Google
    Spectacular and most interesting place...

  • 5/5 Juergen B. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The simplicity from the outside does not suggest the magnificent and first-class beauty of the inside. Thanks Gabriel for showing us this beautiful place. (Original) Die Schlichtheit von außen lässt nicht die großartige und erstklassige Schönheit von Innen vermuten. Danke Gabriel das du uns diesen wunderschönen Ort gezeigt hast.

  • 4/5 Tarig M. 5 years ago on Google
    Is historical church in Gondor, beautiful, amazing design in which made by that way of rocks, wood, and has a logo of ostrich's eggs. There is meticulous painted interiorly. The painting on the walls and ceilings were painted by using natural dyes which found locally

  • 5/5 Cynthia P. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Magnificent (Original) Prachtig

  • 1/5 Анжелина �. 3 years ago on Google
    I tried to visit this place together with my bf, it is 10th January 2021 today, at first when we arrived about 13-30 pm, they told us the price is 200 etb for each, and the ticket office was closed so we couldn’t visit, they told us wait 30 min.... then I tried to take a photo of the church from outside, and the local guy tried to put his hand on my camera, so that I wouldn’t be able to take a pic... after we met a maire of the city and he told us that the guys there told us lie, the price was 100 etb for each, not 200... so we tried to go again about 5 pm, there was a wedding ceremony and again same guys came and started disturbing us saying to go and get the tickets, but again, the ticket office was closed and they tried to first ask for 200 etb each and then they said for 100 etb each. I am sure they tried to put the money in their pocket since they were changing the price in 1 minute... then I tried to take photo of the wedding and the guy started pushing me with his hands. So my bf to defend me pushed the guy, and there was another who even tried to take a rock to throw in my bf. I still tried to take a photo of the wedding, and one of the guests was trying to tell them to let me do that, but these guys were very agressive with us. Never seen like that. The worst people and the worst experience in Ethiopia.

  • 4/5 Gabriel s. 3 years ago on Google
    It's heaven on earth amazing Holy place

  • 5/5 Eddie C. 5 years ago on Google
    I visited many churches throughout my visit to Ethiopia, but this one had the best interior no doubt! (Better than Lalibela the interior in my opinion) A bit pricey 200 Birr entrance fee though....

  • 5/5 Vagandopormundopolis 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It was built in the late 17th century under the reign of Iyasu I. The original church was struck by lightning and had to be rebuilt. It is a stone church with two floors and a thatched roof. Unlike Ethiopian churches that normally have a circular plan, this one is different, since its plant is rectangular. It has two entrances, one for men and the other for women. Inside you will see that the entire ceiling is full of winged cherubs. These are said to represent the omnipresence of God. The church walls are full of paintings depicting biblical scenes. Be careful with the photos inside the church, because the flash cannot be used. (Original) Se construyó a finales del S XVII bajo el reinado de Iyasu I. Un rayo se cargó la iglesia original y tuvo que ser reconstruida. Es una iglesia de piedra con dos pisos y techo de paja. A diferencia de las iglesias etíopes que tienen normalmente planta circular esta es diferente, ya que su planta es rectangular. Tiene dos entradas, una para hombres y otras para mujeres. En su interior veréis que todo el techo está lleno de querubines alados. Se dice que estos representan la omnipresencia de Dios. Las paredes de la iglesia están repletas de pinturas en las que se representan escenas bíblicas. Ojo con las fotos dentro de la iglesia, porque no se puede usar el flash.

  • 3/5 Abdi M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Recommendable (Original) Empfehlenswert

  • 5/5 Nigatu S. 4 years ago on Google
    A very old and historical Orthodox Church

  • 4/5 Noreen B. 4 years ago on Google
    It is a beautiful church

  • 5/5 Regina B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful paintings on the walls, and an additional attraction was the Ethiopian church wedding, which we witnessed. (Original) Piękne malowidła na ścianach, a dodatkową atrakcją był etiopski ślub kościelny, którego byliśmy świadkami.

  • 5/5 Giampiero M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Typical Ethiopian religious construction. Rich in frescoes, it is particularly interesting for the ceiling frescoed completely with faces of little angels with large black eyes that look at you from above. Unmissable. (Original) Tipica costruzione religiosa etiope. Ricca di affreschi, è particolarmente interessante per il soffitto affrescato completamente con facce di angioletti con grandi occhi neri che ti osservano dall'alto. Imperdibile.

  • 3/5 K T. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Admission fee 200ET (Original) 入場料200ET

  • 5/5 Stanislav Vojtěch I. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) O.K. (Original) O.K.

  • 5/5 PURUSHOTHAM S. 4 years ago on Google
    What a beautiful church located on a small uphill where you can enjoy the spectacular landscape of the nearby mountains from the back side of this walled castle. Paintings from 19th century are wonderful with clear message from the stories of the bible. Entry ticket is expensive at 200 birr.

  • 5/5 Peter N. 4 years ago on Google
    A one of a kind place, being a within the vicinity of a very ancient town, you can feel the time move here

  • 5/5 Ildiko V. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice

  • 5/5 Jeroen B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) very beautiful old wooden church (Original) hele mooie oude houten kerk

  • 4/5 Ola K. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautifully painted inside, surrounded by a nice, quiet garden.

  • 3/5 Pablo 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A tiny church for which they charge a lot of money for giving a mini spin. Getting there walking has its point if you go through the mountains and not through the city. For doing something else in Gondar, but do not expect anything from the other Thursday either. (Original) Una iglesia pequeñita por la que cobran mucho dinero por dar una mini vuelta. Llegar hasta allí andando tiene su punto si vas por el monte y no por la ciudad. Por hacer algo más en Gondar, pero tampoco esperes nada del otro jueves.

  • 5/5 Howe Siang T. 4 years ago on Google
    One of the highlights of Gondar

  • 4/5 Manuela N. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Interesting, variety after much area and the huts along the road. (Original) Interessant, Abwechslung nach viel Gegend und den Hütten entlang der Straße.

  • 5/5 Mekdim A. 1 year ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Amazing experience. We went there on the 7th of the (Silassie celebration day). There were preaching services and songs and hymns troughout the morning. It was lovely. Entrance is 50 birr
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hasen K. 4 months ago on Google • 1 review
    Really, I get a very interesting business and I got best knowledge

  • 5/5 Melisew Tilahun A. 4 months ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Visit this incredible place


Call +251 91 102 1308 Open on Google Maps

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