Up in the mountains about 5km due east of Adwa is the monastery of Abba Garima . Said to have been founded by one of the Nine Saints in the 6th century, it’s known for its collection of religious artefacts, including what may be Ethiopia’s two oldest manuscripts, perhaps dating to sometime between 330AD and 650AD. They’re kept in a proper museum in glass cases along with a few old crosses, crowns, robes, etc. The main church has modern paintings, mostly behind plastic sheeting, but the geometric ceiling paintings are an unusual sight. Head 6km south of Adwa before turning east for the final 2.5km.
