BAHIR DAR

Bahir dar is the capital city of Amhara region for centuries and largest port on Lake Tana. It has been a place of commercial importance, due to papyrus canoes,and boats by the woyto people who live along lake side.It is known for the Blue Nile falls and Lake Tana –It is main attractions.

Lake Tana Monasteries.

The 20-odd medieval monasteries that stud the forested islands and peninsula of Lake Tana are best known for their brightly painted interiors. Indeed, the likes Ura kidane Mihret, Narga Silassie, their maqdas (holy of holie)covered in painting from floor to ceiling, are absorbing of the clourful cast of saints and other legendary figures populating Ethiopia’s ecclesiastic history. Many of the lake monasteries were established during the 4^th century rule of Amda Tion, but some are more modern, while others, most notably Tana Chirkos, with trio of ancient Judaic sacrificial pillars, might date back thousands of years. For the adventurous seafarers, a full –day boat outing is required to visit the likes of Daga Istifanos, Tana Chirkos and Narga Selassie.

Did you know?

• In June 2015, UNESCO officially recognized Lake Tana and its hinterland as a 5,000 square – kilometer biosphere reserve.
• The region’s principal town, Bahir Dar is a modern creation, but it is named after the much older church of Bahir Dar Giyorgis (“St George by the Sea”), which was probably founded in the 13^th or early 14^th century.
• Lake Tana has only one outlet, Blue Nile or Abay, which exists the southeastern shore on the outskirt of Baahir Dar, the start of its long journey to the Mediterranean via Egypt.
• The papyrus boats, locally known as tankwa are still used by local fisherman on Lake Tana are uncannily similar to certain boats depicted on ancient Egyptian reliefs, suggesting a very ancient link between the two regions.