Built 220 years ago, in the 1780s, by Ras Welde Selassie, Selassie Cheleqot church is still an active orthodox church. With a round shape, it has 3 main doors and 9 beautifully decorated windows. All the doors and windows are made of artistically shaped large local woods. In fact, the name CHELEQOT was derived from this fact.
When Ras Wolde Selassie came for the inauguration of the church, he saw the beautiful wooden blocks where the church was made from. He asked “what are these woods?” The builders replied, “ቆት” (Qot), a name of a strong and thick wood still common in the area. Ras Wolde Selassie was amazed and said “ጨለ ቆት” meaning “Nice Qot” and hence the name “Cheleqot“(ጨለቆት).
The church has different gates for male and female. Inside the church, there are graveyards for famous people. The wife of King Tewodros, and the mother of Prince Alemayehu Tewodros, Ras Wolde Selassie, Merha Kiristos and many other notable people have been burried here. Each tomb has separate rooms built and can be seen inside the compound of the church.
The church has many precious gifts from different kings and notable people. They have built a separate building to serve as a museum and display the church’s precious treasures for tourists.
Read more at Cheleqot Selassie.
