To the southeast of Dek is the much smaller Daga Island. The third principal attraction amongst the islands of Lake Tana is Dega Estefanos, which, like Kebran Gabriel, is closed to women. This Video film presents the Miraculous Lake Tana, Its Islands and the outlet of River Nile (Abay) or Blue Nile in Ethiopia. de Graaf, Megens, Samallo, Sibbing (2007). Narga Selassie – it is found on Dek Island, central part of Lake Tana. Ethiopia is landlocked, but Lake Tana is an inland sea: it covers 1,400 square miles and is the source of the Blue Nile, which weaves its muddy way 3,245 miles through Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt to the Mediterranean. Some twenty of these islands shelter churches and monasteries of significant historical and cultural interest. [13] Hippos are present, mostly near the Blue Nile outflow. Originally established in the fourteenth century and rebuilt during the reign of Emperor lyasu I (1682-1706), it is an unassuming but impressive building with a distinct cathedral atmosphere. [7], Because of the large seasonal variations in the inflow of its tributaries, rain and evaporation, the water levels of Lake Tana typically vary by 2–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft) in a year, peaking in September–October just after the main wet season. The most interesting islands are: Birgida Mariam, Dega Estefanous, Dek, Narga, Tana Cherkos, Mitsele Fasiledes, Kebran and Debre Maryam. Explore Lake Tana & its Monasteries holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. [7], Other serious threats are habitat destruction and pollution. JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to use Google Maps. to comply with all of the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Bahir Dar and Blue Nile Waterfalls
Bahir Dar is situated on Lake Tana, which is dotted with island monasteries some dating back to the 14th century. [8], There are no crocodiles, but the African softshell turtle has been recorded near the Blue Nile outflow from the lake. Tana is the source from where the Blue Nile starts its long journey to Khartoum in Sudan, the lake is approximately 85 km long and 70 km wide, an elevation of 1840 meters. The lake's surface covers 1,418 square miles (3,673 square km), with a surrounding drainage of 4,500 square miles (11,650 square km); its maximum depth is 45 feet (14 metres). For best viewing experience on this website, please use Chrome browser. The islands and peninsulas of Lake Tana can most conveniently be approached by boat from the port of Bahir Dar, on the southern side of the lake, through boats crossing the lake can also be obtained at the port of Gorgora on the northern shore. Lake Tana was formed by volcanic activity, blocking the course of inflowing rivers in the early Pleistocene epoch, about 5 million years ago. Kebran Gabriel is the principal monastery visited by male tourists from Bahir Dar, with its impressive Cathedral-like building first built at the end of the 17th Century. There are dozens of island monasteries, but only eight are open for public viewing. [4], Lake Tana has a number of islands, whose number varies depending on the level of the lake. [3], Lake Tana was formed by volcanic activity, blocking the course of inflowing rivers in the early Pleistocene epoch, about 5 million years ago. Lake Tana is very secretly – or maybe not very secretly – a tourist attraction par excellence. Emperors whose tombs are also on Daga include Dawit I, Zara Yaqob, Za Dengel, and Fasilides. The church is one of the most peaceful and atmospheric on Lake Tana and is set in an extremely beautiful location. There is also Zege Peninsula on the southwest portion of the lake. Lake Tana has about 37 islands and hosts about 30 ancient and historic monasteries endowed with precious heritages and ancient books as well as documents. "[5] When James Bruce visited the area in the later 18th century, he noted that the locals counted 45 inhabited islands, but stated he believed that "the number may be about eleven. However, it seems JavaScript is either disabled or not supported by your browser. Women are, however, permitted to visit churches on the Zeghe peninsula and the nearby church of Ura Kidane Mehret, as well as Narga Selassie. The town of Bahir Dar is the main gateway to Lake Tana and its island monasteries. Here, together with numerous piles of brightly colored ceremonial robes, are the glass-sided coffins containing the mummi-fied remains of several of the former emperors of Ethiopia: Yekuno Amlak, who restored the Solomonic dynasty to the throne in 1270; Dawit, late fourteenth century; Zara Yaqob, fifteenth century; Za Dengel, early seventeenth century; and Fasilidas, also seventeenth century. Some 90 meters (300 feet) above the surface of the lake are the low, round, thatched-roof buildings that house the monks, and nearby an arch set into a high stone wall leads to a grassy clearing, at the center of which stands the church of Saint Stephanos. Among the endemic Labeobarbus, eight species spawn in the lake's wetlands and the remaining move seasonally into its tributaries where they spawn. These island monasteries of Lake Tana … Plenty of long-distance buses also head to Bahir Dar from various cities. ), Pictures from Lake Tana and the Monasteries, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_Tana&oldid=1008043352, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without image bathymetry, Articles containing Amharic-language text, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 21 February 2021, at 07:44. [2] Lake Tana is fed by the Gilgel Abay, Reb and Gumara rivers. However, both men and women can visit. [8], About 230 species of birds, including more than 80 wetland birds such as the great white pelican, African darter, hamerkop, storks, African spoonbill, ibis, ducks, kingfishers and African fish eagle, are known from Lake Tana. Debre Mariam – it lies on the southeast corner of lake near the exit of Blue Nile River. Rivalling the attraction of the Blue Nile Falls are the Lake Tana thirty-seven islands scattered about on the 3,000-square-kilometer (1,860 square-mile) surface of Ethiopia’s largest body of water. Lake Tana Islands Monasteries. Roads in Ethiopia are surprisingly good, though distances are long. Many visitors gather in Bahir Dar, a town on the shores of the lake, to relax. Lake Tana is unique as the home of thirty seven scattered islands, twenty of which are home to monasteries. When the water levels are high, the plains around the lake often are flooded and other permanent swamps in the region become connected to the lake. Among the thirty-seven islands over Lake Tana, about 19 of them have monasteries on them. The monasteries that are located on Lake Tana and the surrounding areas are the best example in this regard. Please note, some phrases translation could be wrong, Ethiopia - The Nile and The Renaissance Dam, ዮጵያ የ 2013 ወርሃዊ የቀን አቆጣጠር ከዚህ ያውርዱ። ከፈለጉ የሚዎዱትን ሽፋን ስዕል በማስገባት የራስዎ የሆነ ብጁ የቀን መቁጠሪያ መስራት ይችላሉ።. Lake Tana, largest lake of Ethiopia, located in a depression of the northwest plateau, 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) above sea level. [7], Largest lake in Ethiopia and major source of Blue Nile. The lake level has been regulated since the construction of the control weir where the lake discharges into the Blue Nile. The Lake Tana region is the traditional home of the Amhara, primarily adhering the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Copyright © 2021 EthioVisit.com. In the highlands, are ancient monasteries that … Other important islands in Lake Tana include Dek, Mitraha, Gelila Zakarias, Halimun and Briguida. The Lake Tana area was important in the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries in view of its role in maintaining the Christian faith against contemporary pressures, and the rise of the Solomonic Dynasty which patronized the building of churches and monasteries. A ferry service links Bahir Dar with Gorgora via Dek Island and various lakeshore villages. [12] In the early 2000s, the local government for the first time introduced a fisheries legislation and it is hoped this will have a positive effect on the fish populations. A heart shaped Lake and source of Blue Nile Lake Tana is situated in North western Ethiopia in the area between Gonder and Gojjam, to the north of Bahir Dar.It is the largest lake in the country, at 3600 square kilometers. attraction Type: Religious Monument. The main tributaries to the lake are Gilgel Abbay (Little Nile River), and the Megech, Gumara, and Rib rivers. Not a large island, but at one time, the reputed resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Dek Island (Amharic: ደቅ ደሴት, Deq Deset) is the biggest island (approximately 16 square kilometers in size) on Lake Tana in Ethiopia. This aquamarine, sun-baked lake sits on the foothills of the Simien Mountains and is … Narga Selassie Narga Selassie, which means ‘Trinity of the Rest’, was built on Dek Island, the largest island of Lake Tana in the late 18th century. Freshwater Ecoregions of the World (2008). The real historic interest in Dega Estefanos, however, lies in its treasury, secreted away under a massive antique lock, which is opened with a huge iron key. Its 30 odd islands represent today a unique natural habitat for plant life.
The Blue Nile Falls are a waterfall on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia. Its surface area ranges from 3,000 to 3,500 square kilometres (1,200 to 1,400 square miles), depending on season and rainfall. It forms the main reservoir for the Blue Nile (Abbay) River, which drains its southern extremity near Bahir Dar. Bahir Dar/ Lake Tana in 1 day We were a group of about 40, took over the Blue Nile resort, 3 boats, rode up to Betremariam Monastery, back to town and walked about the market area. We use cookies to properly format the display and to ensure you get the best experience on our website. [7][8], Lake Tana supports a large fishing industry, mainly based on the Labeobarbus barbs, Nile tilapia and sharptooth catfish. Despite the fact that it houses a Holy Madonna painted during the reign of Emperor Zara Yaqob (1434-1468), it is a relatively new building, erected about a century ago after the original structure had burned down in a grass fire. It was built for Emperor Susneyos, founder of the Gondar dynasties, by Catholic missionaries.Bird lovers should make a point of visiting Fasilidas Island, near the eastern side of the lake, which is the breeding base for a number of wetland species. Interesting and historic churches and monasteries on or around the lake can be found on the islands of Birgida Maryam, Dega Estefanos, Dek, Narga, Tana Cherkos, Mitsele Fasilidas, Kebran and Debre Maryam, as well as the peninsulas of Gorgora, Mandaba, and Zeghe, which has long been renowned for its coffee. Remains of ancient Ethiopian emperors and treasures of the Ethiopian Church are kept in the isolated island monasteries (including Kebran Gabriel, Ura Kidane Mehret, Narga Selassie, Daga Estifanos, Medhane Alem of Rema, Kota Maryam, and Mertola Maryam). There is a richly illuminated manuscript of the four gospels in this church. According to Manoel de Almeida (a Portuguese missionary in the early 17th century), there were 21 islands, seven to eight of which had monasteries on them "formerly large, but now much diminished. The water has a pH that is neutral to somewhat alkaline and its transparency is quite low. [7], Since there are no inflows that link the lake to other large waterways and the main outflow, the Blue Nile, is obstructed by the Blue Nile Falls, the lake supports a highly distinctive aquatic fauna, which generally is related to species from the Nile Basin. [7], There are 27 fish species in Lake Tana and 20 of these are endemic. A potentially serious threat to the unique ecosystem would be an introduction of a large and efficient predatory species like the Nile perch, which has been implicated in numerous extinctions in Lake Victoria. http://Ethiopiavoyage.com Lake Tana in north Ethiopia, Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia, situated near beautiful town of Bahir Dar. You can hire a boat from the Maritime Transport Authority, based in Bahir Dar. A pristine view of one of the island monasteries of Lake Tana. [8] The lake's nutrient levels are low. They include the fourteenth-century Debre Maryam, and the eighteenth-century Narga Selassie, Tana Qirqos (said to have housed the Ark of the Covenant before it was moved to Axum), and Ura Kidane Mehret, known for its regalia. The area also used to be the homeland of the falashas who practiced a form of Judaism, but after centuries of persecution, most of them were airlifted to Israel in 1991. The lake, thus, is at the nexus of a complex web of political, economic and socio-cultural interests. This largest lake of Ethiopia along with it’s 37 islands scattered along the surface feature several churches and monasteries with a history dating back to the 13th century. It took a day- saw beauty on the waters, an old church that amalgamated folklore and Truth, semi-urban capitalism and a shoe wash by the curb (10- 20 birr). "Information on Fisheries Management in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia", "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species", Lake Tana project webpage of The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU e.V. Located in Amhara Region in the north-western Ethiopian Highlands, the lake is approximately 84 kilometres (52 miles) long and 66 kilometres (41 miles) wide, with a maximum depth of 15 metres (49 feet),[1] and an elevation of 1,788 metres (5,866 feet). Ura Kidane Mehret is another popular attraction that is open to women. The thirty-seven islands of Lake Tana shelter twenty monasteries - surviving remnants of an old, contemplative tradition. by Johnny Newby; Soft air blowing your hair while you’re on a boat that takes you through a vast lake, which is dotted with 37 islands that are home to different monasteries and churches. [7], Among other fauna, the lake supports relatively few invertebrates: There are fifteen species of molluscs, including one endemic, and also an endemic freshwater sponge. The monasteries are believed to have been built over earlier religious sites. Lake Tana, the largest lake, in Ethiopia is the source and from where the famed Blue Nile starts its long journey to Khartoum, and on to the Mediterranean. The lake was known to the ancient Greeks as Pseboa or Koloe. [7], In addition to the Labeobarbus species flock, the endemic species are Enteromius pleurogramma, E. tanapelagius, Garra regressus, G. regressus and Afronemacheilus abyssinicus (one of only two African stone loaches). Compared to other tropical lakes, the waters in Lake Tana are relatively cold, typically ranging from about 20 to 27 °C (68–81 °F). de Graaf, Dejen, Sibbing and Osse (2000). Some twenty of these islands shelter churches and monasteries of significant historical and cultural interest. Lake Tana (Amharic: ጣና ሐይቅ) is the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile. The piscivorous Labeobarbus of Lake Tana are relatively inefficient predators that only can take fish up to about 15% of the length of the predator itself. [7] This includes one of only two known cyprinid species flocks (the other, from Lake Lanao in the Philippines, has been decimated by introduced species). They are decorated with beautiful paintings and are the repository of innumerable treasures. Situated in the Amhara Region of the Ethiopian Highlands, Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and acts as the headwaters of the Blue Nile River. At the time, the political, economical and spiritual activities were centred around the lake. Dek Island—at 7 kilometers or 4.4 miles from north to south—is the largest island in Lake Tana. The mystic islands of Lake Tana. It consists of 15 relatively large, up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long, Labeobarbus barbs that formerly were included in Barbus instead. The 37 islands that are scattered about the surface of the Lake shelter fascinating churches and monasteries, some … The nearest monastery - Kebran Gabriel - is about a two-hour round trip. Among the thirty-seven islands over Lake Tana, about 19 of them have monasteries on them. [7] The vegetation in the lake's wetlands, which are an important nursery for the Labeobarbus and other fish, are being cleared at a fast pace. [4], The lake was originally much larger than it is today. Lake Tana Islands and Churches Rivalling the attraction of the Blue Nile Falls are the Lake Tana thirty-seven islands scattered about on the 3,000-square-kilometer (1,860 square-mile) surface of Ethiopia’s largest body of water. The remote islands and forested peninsulas of Lake Tana are home to some of Ethiopia’s most venerated monastic churches. Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, is also an important centre for the Ethiopian Christian Orthodox, going as far back as the 17th century when Abyssinia (Northern Ethiopia today) was a powerful kingdom. It has fallen about 6 feet (1.8 m) in the last 400 years. Although farther away from Bahir Dar (allow a day to get there and back), it is well worth visiting. A group of 37 islands on which can be found 20 ancient monasteries and churches whose origin dates back to the 14 th Century. Islands of Lake Tana – Ethiopia. [7] Their most important prey are the small Enteromius and Garra species. Zege is the site of the Azwa Maryam monastery. Coptic monasteries were built on Dak and Daga islands in the lake during the Middle Ages and were visited by Portuguese Jesuits in the 16th and 17th centuries. According to the Ethiopian Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 1,454 tons of fish were landed in 2011 at Bahir Dar, which the department estimated was 15% of its sustainable amount. Accessible via a short boat trip from the shores of the lake, these monasteries are a window into a bygone era, and stepping off the boat to explore these relics of history is like wandering into a land lost to time.. Entos – Small Island with a nunnery. Located on the Zeghe peninsula, the design of the monastery dates from the same period as that of the one at Kebran Gabriel but is a more decorative building, arched over with a huge conical thatched roof and painted inside with colorful frescoes depicting scenes from biblical lore and from the history of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. [8][9] Among these, L. acutirostris, L. longissimus, L. megastoma and L. truttiformis are strictly piscivorous, and L. dainellii, L. gorguari, L. macrophtalmus and L. platydorsus are mostly piscivorous. Kebran Gabriel, the nearest monastery to Bahir Dar, is a principal tourist attraction for male visitors only, as this is one of the places where women are forbidden. Lake Tana is the backbone of Ethiopia and the region for its historical heritage (culture), economic value, and biodiversity. It has been believed that Lake Tana was created by volcanic eruption during Cenozoic era around 2.5 million years ago and has been possessed 37 islands, 20 of them have monasteries endowed with fascinating historical and religious heritages. Bahir Dar has become a large city and it is rapidly growing; its wastewater is generally released directly into the lake. On the island of Tana Qirqos is a rock shown to Paul B. Henze, on which he was told the Virgin Mary had rested on her journey back from Egypt; he was also told that Frumentius, who introduced Christianity to Ethiopia, is "allegedly buried on Tana Cherqos. The remaining non-endemic species are Nile tilapia (widespread in Africa, but with the endemic subspecies tana in the lake), E. humilis, G. dembecha, G. dembeensis and the large African sharptooth catfish. Even though Lake Tana is central to the country’s aspiration for socio-economic transformation, its haphazard management by government authorities raises critical questions. The Scotsman James Bruce, seeking the source of the Nile, reached the southern shores of Lake Tana in 1770. But the residents of Lake Tana in northern Ethiopia would beg to differ. The remains of ancient Ethiopian emperors and treasures of the Ethiopian Church are kept in this isolated island. Access for the most part is closed to women, who are allowed to land on the banks of the islands but not permitted to proceed any further. [7] It is an important resting and feeding ground for many Palearctic migrant waterbirds. Also of interest is the sixteenth-century Susneyos Palace near Gorgora, which served as a 'blueprint' for the famous Gondar palaces. Lake Tana has small islands amid its water surfaces, that are only accessible by a boat. Background. This controls the flow to the Blue Nile Falls (Tis Abbai) and hydro-power station. "[6] The body of Yekuno Amlak is interred in the monastery of St. Stephen on Daga Island. All Rights Reserved.By using this Web Site, you agree After a little searching I found Tana Island located along the eastern shore of the lake. Seven large permanent rivers feed the lake as well as 40 small seasonal rivers. [7][9][10] The remaining Labeobarbus in Lake Tana have other specialized feeding habits: L. beso (non-endemic and not closely related to the others) feeds on algae, L. surkis mostly on macrophytes, L. gorgorensis on macrophytes and molluscs, L. brevicephalus on zooplankton (however, juveniles of all members of the species flock feed on zooplankton), L. osseensis on macrophytes and adults insects, and L. crassibarbis, L. intermedius (non-endemic but closely related to the others), L. nedgia and L. tsanensis on benthic invertebrates like chironomid larvae. Lake Tana is most famous for its ancient island monasteries.. The clergy, who are usually very good humoured, can sometimes be prevailed upon to bring some of their treasures to the water's edge. LAKE TANA AND ITS ISLANDS: A paper read at the Evening Meeting of the Society on I8 February I935, by MAJOR R. E. CHEESMAN W 7HEN I was first appointed to North West Ethiopia, in 1925, as His Majesty's Consul, I found that very little was known of the Blue Nile in Abyssinia, and determined to see and survey the whole valley from its source [11] Nevertheless, in a review that compared catches in 2001 to those ten years earlier, it was found that typical sizes of both the tilapia and the catfish had significantly decreased, and populations of the Labeobarbus barbs that breed in the tributaries had significantly declined. A steep trek up a winding path leads towards the monastery on the summit. try again. [7] Among the endemic fish, most are considered threatened (endangered or vulnerable) or data deficient (available data insufficient for evaluating a status) by the IUCN. Because of their isolation they were used to store art treasures and religious relics from all parts of the country. It is administratively included in the Bahir Dar Zuria woreda of the Mirab Gojjam Zone. In 2015, the Lake Tana region was nominated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve recognizing its national and international natural and cultural importance. Learn more about our Privacy Policy I Agree. Daily flights connect it to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Tana Island - Landsat N-37-10_2000 (1:31,250) Tana Island - EVS Precision Marplot Map (1:31,250) Here is Tana Island, all of 500-meters by 50-meters. To view Google Maps, enable JavaScript by changing your browser options, and then "[5] A 20th-century geographer named 37 islands, of which he believed 19 have or had monasteries or churches on them.[5]. As Pseboa or Koloe they spawn surprisingly good, though distances are long churches... And Garra species seasonally into its tributaries where they spawn nexus of a complex web of,! Scattered islands, twenty of which are home to some of Ethiopia and the Megech, Gumara, biodiversity. Although farther away from Bahir Dar largest island in lake Tana is Dega Estefanos,,! 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