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A model of the Ark of the Covenant (known as the Tabot) is taken out of every Ethiopian church once a year for 24 hours and paraded during a procession in towns across the country. It is part of a festival known as Timket -- the holiest holiday on the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian calendar.
CNN
Known as the 'Mother Church of Ethiopia,' St. Mary of Tsion is believed to house the real Ark of the Covenant, the structure that held the biblical Ten Commandments. It is guarded by a select group of monks, whose sole commitment is to protect the sacred vessel.
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The Fasilides Bath in Ethiopia's Gondar is a UNESCO heritage site that was built in 1632 for King Fasil. Every year during Timket thousands of pilgrims flock to the city of Gondar to immerse themselves in holy water.
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Wukro in Ethiopia's Tigray region is home to more than 100 rock-hewn churches. Wukro Chirkos is over 1,000 years old, and still attracts worshipers.
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The tiny village of Negash is home to Ethiopia's first Muslim community, and one of the most important sites in Islam. Legend has it that the Prophet Mohammed's daughter lived her for a time. Currently, it is under renovation to be considered for UNESCO world Heritage status.
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This 9th century temple was only discovered a few years ago when archaeologists uncovered an alter and found the religious relic underneath. The altar has an inscription in the now-dead Sabaen language dedicated to the god Almagah, who was worshiped by the Sheba. Archaeologists are still excavating the temple, and hope it will one day be the first open museum in Ethiopia.
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The Yeha Temple is believed to be the oldest-standing structure in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also dedicated to Almagah, the one-time god of the moon. In the 6th century, the temple -- which had since been abandoned -- became a Christian place of worship.
CNN
The ancient city of Aksum was the center of Ethiopian power from the 1st to the 8th century AD. The preserved ruins from the city are today a UNESCO world heritage site. There are approximately 600 stelae, or stone slabs, in the area, as well as underground tombs.
Tigray, Ethiopia
CNN
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Ethiopia is often overlooked as a top destination for spiritual pilgrimage. This is an unfortunate oversight.
The country is not just the cradle of civilization, it has played a significant role in the formation of many of the world’s top religions.
It is not only the location of the biblical kingdom of Sheba, it is believed by some to house the Ark of the Covenant. Scroll through the gallery above for a list of the country’s top religious sites.
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Other religions can trace their origins to Ethiopia. Watch the video below to uncover some of Islam’s earliest artifacts.
07:52 - Source: CNN
The Cradle of Ethiopian Islam