Ethiopia is a land of hidden treasures, and among the greatest are its remote churches, whose richly decorated interiors amaze and astound with their vibrant colours and extraordinary illustration. Yet steeped in ancient legend, and often situated in remote locations, a true appreciation and understanding of these unique churches and their spectacular murals has been restricted to a select few. Now, in Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia, Maria-Jose Friedlander provides a unique guide to the churches, their architecture and decoration. Ranging from the rock-hewn churches of the Tigray region to the spectacular timber-built cave church of Yemrehane Krestos, Maria-Jose Friedlander provides detailed descriptions of the wonderful murals and of the stories behind them. Many of the wall paintings contain inscriptions in Ge'ez - the ancient language of Ethiopia - and full translations of these scripts are given. Detailed plans show the exact location of the paintings within the churches and the superb colour photographs by Bob Friedlander show the many aspects of the churches and their decoration in rich detail.

With chapters exploring the important religious themes and historical events in Ethiopian Christianity, and with an introduction by Richard Pankhurst, the result is a book that will transform the appreciation of these hidden splendours and add a new dimension to their understanding for traveller and scholar alike.

About the Author
Maria-Jose Friedlander has a degree in art history from London University. She has travelled extensively and has been a specialist tour guide in many countries around the world. Bob Friedlander studied engineering at Trinity College, Cambridge and was a managing director with the Ford.


Book Information
ISBN 9781350137752
Author Marie-Jose Friedlander
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 962g