Washa Mikael Church

Addis Ababa


The Washa Mikael Church is a few kilometres east of Addis Ababa's town centre. Though local priests date it back to the 3rd century AD, it most probably dates back to the 12th century. If you’re mad and not planning to visit the churches at Lalibela or Tigray in the north, this is definitely worth a peek as an example of the extraordinary rock-hewn architecture that Ethiopia is so famous for. Unfortunately, from July to October it’s usually flooded with rainwater.

The church is tricky to find, so ask locals en route.

Finally, a word of warning: a number of tourists have been mugged on the road up to the church, so go with a friend or two.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Addis Ababa attractions

3. Natural History Museum

2.79 MILES

Unless you've a particular interest in Ethiopia's animals and birdlife, this is more a case of rainy day tourism. Go eye to eye with a bloated leopard –…

4. Tomb of Sylvia Pankhurst

2.81 MILES

Facing the entrance to the Holy Trinity Cathedral is the tomb of the famous British suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst. Pankhurst was one of the very few people…

5. Holy Trinity Cathedral

2.81 MILES

This massive and ornate cathedral is the second-most important place of worship in Ethiopia (ranking behind the Old Church of St Mary of Zion in Aksum)…

6. Kidane Mehret Church

2.82 MILES

The unremarkable new church on this site is far less interesting than the reconstructed original, complete with Aksumite architectural traces, alongside…

7. Yekatit 12 Monument

2.87 MILES

Rising dramatically from the roundabout Siddist Kilo is this moving monument, dedicated to the thousands of innocent Ethiopians killed by the Italians as…

8. National Museum

2.91 MILES

The collection on show at the National Museum is ranked among the most important in sub-Saharan Africa, but sadly many of its exhibits are poorly labelled…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "ethiopia/addis-ababa/attractions/washa-mikael-church/a/poi-sig/1424128/355289",
      "destination": "Addis-Ababa",
      "continent": "Africa",
      "country": "Ethiopia",
      "city": "Addis-Ababa",
      "position": "superzone"
    }