| Denomination: | Ethiopian Orthodox |
| Washa Mikael Rock-Hewn Church | |
| Pushpin Map: | Ethiopia |
| Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
| Map Caption: | Location within Ethiopia |
| Coordinates: | 9.0315°N 38.6711°W |
| Country: | Ethiopia |
| Location: | Addis Ababa |
| Architectural Type: | church |
The Washa Mikael Rock-Hewn Church (Amharic: ዋሻ ሚካኤል [wä schä mi kä el] literally "The Cave of Michael") is a rock-hewn semi-monolithic church located in the Yeka District of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.[1]
The cave of Washa Mika'el is cut into the interior of an ignimbrite massi located at an altitude of 3,118m on the highland plateau located six kilometers from Addis Ababa. The Washa Michael (cave of Michael) rock-hewn church is a historic church built in the late 3rd century AD in the reign of Emperor Abreha making it more than 1600 years old. To say that the church has seen better days would be an understatement.The roof has caved in due to Italian bombardment against freedom fighters in 1935 yet most of its walls and arches, including those of the holy of holies or Mekdes in Amharic still remain standing. [2] Pre-Christian carved animal friezes on the northern and southern walls at Washa Mika'el are located at shoulder height and Christian paintings were added on the upper walls, suggesting that this region was still going through a process of Christianization during its construction.[3]
In the 19th century, Emperor Menelik II rediscovered the structure after it was initially abandoned during the Abyssinian-Adel war. He had the Tabot of St. Michael moved from inside the church to a church he had built lower down the mountain called Yeka Mikael. He subsequently made attempts at restoring and preserving the structures of the church.[4]
The church suffered damages during the heavy bombing campaigns of the Italians during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War.[5]