Debre Libanos of Ham

Debre Libanos at Ham sits on the edge of the escarpment in southern Eritrea, a monastery whose tradition places its foundation in the sixth century with one of the Nine Saints who brought monasticism to this region, which if accepted makes it among the oldest in the Horn. Rock-cut chambers, a church and burial caves make up the site, on ground that drops away sharply toward the lowlands. The Nine Saints are traditionally held to have arrived from the eastern Mediterranean in the fifth or sixth century and founded monasteries across the region.

What you actually see

• The rock-cut chambers - cells and spaces worked into the escarpment.
• The church - the monastery's place of worship.
• The burial caves - the chambers holding the community's dead.
• The escarpment edge - the ground dropping away toward the lowlands.

When to go

Year round; the highland climate is mild. Feast days bring gatherings. The walk in is hot in the middle of the day.

Honest expectations

Access rules are strict and women are generally not admitted to Eritrean monasteries. A travel permit is required for movement outside Asmara. Photography is generally not permitted.

Nearby

Senafe is northeast, and Metera is north.