Ura Kidane Mehret
Encyclopedia
Ura Kidane Mehret is a church of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, located on the Zege peninsula in Lake Tana
of Ethiopia
. It is part of the complex of the Convent of Mercy. At least one author considers it the most attractive church in the Lake Tana region.
The convent was founded in the 14th century by the saint Betre Mariyam (Amharic
"Rod of Mary"), although the present circular church dates from the 16th century. Its wall are decorated with numerous murals painted between 100 and 250 years ago; subjects include Negus
Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam
and his followers. The most significant were painted by Alaqa Engida during the reign of Emperor Menelik II. The church has its treasury in a nearby outbuilding, which contains the richly embroidered robes of Negus Tekle Haymanot and his wife Lakech Makonnen, as well as the crowns of Emperor Yohannes IV
, Emperor Tewodros II
, Negus Tekle Haymanot, and Emperor Tekle Giyorgis
.
Lake Tana
Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile and is the largest lake in Ethiopia...
of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. It is part of the complex of the Convent of Mercy. At least one author considers it the most attractive church in the Lake Tana region.
The convent was founded in the 14th century by the saint Betre Mariyam (Amharic
Amharic language
Amharic is a Semitic language spoken in Ethiopia. It is the second most-spoken Semitic language in the world, after Arabic, and the official working language of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Thus, it has official status and is used nationwide. Amharic is also the official or working...
"Rod of Mary"), although the present circular church dates from the 16th century. Its wall are decorated with numerous murals painted between 100 and 250 years ago; subjects include Negus
Negus
Negus is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature...
Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam
Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam
Tekle Haymanot Tessemma, also Adal Tessemma, Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam, and Tekle Haimanot of Gojjam, was an army commander and a member of the nobility of the Ethiopian Empire.- Biography :...
and his followers. The most significant were painted by Alaqa Engida during the reign of Emperor Menelik II. The church has its treasury in a nearby outbuilding, which contains the richly embroidered robes of Negus Tekle Haymanot and his wife Lakech Makonnen, as well as the crowns of Emperor Yohannes IV
Yohannes IV of Ethiopia
Yohannes IV , born Lij Kassay Mercha Ge'ez, was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1872 until his death.-Early life:...
, Emperor Tewodros II
Tewodros II of Ethiopia
Tewodros II was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1855 until his death....
, Negus Tekle Haymanot, and Emperor Tekle Giyorgis
Tekle Giyorgis I of Ethiopia
Tekle Giyorgis I was Emperor of Ethiopia intermittently between 20 July 1779 and June 1800, and a member of the Solomonic dynasty...
.