Tsion Maryam

One of the central planks of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity rests on the legend that the Queen of Sheba's son, Menelik, took the Ark of Covenant from his father, King Solomon (of bible fame) and that this is currently in the this un-named building pictured on the right.  It is guarded by a priest who never leaves the compound and is fed by a boy who will replace him on his death.  Nobody but the priest in question is allowed to see it but there have been conflicting reports of two westerners having viewed it in 1764 and 1864.  In addition to the "real" one, every church in Ethiopia has a replica of the Ark which is kept behind curtains and is only accessible to the priests.  These replicas are paraded round the town and villages at Timkat, the Celebration of Epiphany, held in January.