阿什顿玛利亚姆修道院(Asheton Maryam Monastery)高悬在埃塞俄比亚拉利贝拉镇后方的阿什顿山上,海拔高度接近3150米。这里不仅是俯瞰拉斯塔山脉(Lasta Mountains)的绝佳观景点,更是探访拉利贝拉岩石教堂群外延历史的重要坐标。对于体力尚可的旅行者来说,从镇上徒步前往这座13世纪的修道院是一场结合了信仰高度与身体极限的朝圣之旅。
这座修道院始建于13世纪早期,正值扎格维王朝(Zagwe Dynasty)的权力更迭时期。相传它是由拉利贝拉国王的侄子兼继任者纳库塔拉布(Nakuta La'ab)主持修建的。由于地理位置极其隐蔽且地势险要,阿什顿玛利亚姆在历史上多次躲过了外敌入侵的破坏。走进修道院内部,你会发现这里并不像山下的梅德哈尼阿莱姆教堂那样宏伟庞大,但那种开凿于山体边缘的孤寂感却是独一无二的。
从建筑形式上看,阿什顿玛利亚姆属于半岩石开凿教堂。它的部分墙体是直接在坚硬的凝灰岩山体上凿出的,而另一部分则利用了天然的岩洞。这种建筑方式在当时的技术条件下极为艰难。教堂内部的空间比较局促,光线昏暗,只有几处狭小的石窗透进微弱的光影。这种压抑的内部空间与推门而出后的开阔山景形成了强烈对比,这种空间心理学在埃塞俄比亚的正教会建筑中非常典型。
要想到达修道院,最常见的方式是从拉利贝拉镇中心出发徒步。这段路程单程大约有5到6公里,但海拔落差超过了500米。说真的,虽然距离不算长,但在3000米以上的高度连续爬升,普通人的呼吸会变得非常急促。建议清晨六点半左右出发,那时候气温只有10度上下,空气干爽,可以避开正午直射的紫外线。如果体力一般,单程可能需要花费2.5小时左右,沿途会经过不少当地村落,能看到正在耕作的农民和背着木柴的妇人。
如果担心膝盖受不了,可以在镇上租一头骡子代步。租骡子的费用通常包含了一名牵骡人的劳务,大约在800到1200埃塞俄比亚比尔之间。不过要注意的是,接近山顶的那段路非常陡峭且遍布碎石,即便骑骡子也得在最后一段路下来步行。关于向导,拉利贝拉的向导通常是打包服务的,如果你已经请了镇内的教堂导游,可以协商让他们带路。不需要专门找登山向导,但带上一名熟悉路径的本地人能帮你挡掉不少路边强行推销纪念品的小孩。
修道院的入口处有一段天然形成的岩石隧道,光线在这里几乎消失,只能靠手电筒或手机补光。进入教堂核心区域后,守卫在这里的僧侣会展示修道院的镇院之宝。这包括了用格厄兹语(Ge'ez)书写的千年羊皮卷圣经,以及几枚造型精美的13世纪手持十字架。这些十字架通常由青铜或木头雕刻而成,花纹繁复且带有强烈的时代特征。僧侣展示这些文物时,你可以近距离观察那些手工敲打出的纹路,这种近距离接触文物的机会在世界其他地方并不多见。
门票价格目前大约是1000埃塞俄比亚比尔,建议直接向修道院的售票处支付并索要收据。很多时候这笔费用并不包含在拉利贝拉50美元的大通票里,出发前最好跟酒店前台确认最新的政策变动。山上的风极大,即便是在炎热的旱季,山顶的体感温度也会比镇上低5度以上,一件防风抓绒衣是必不可少的。另外,教堂内部需要脱鞋进入,由于地面是原始岩石且可能有些潮湿,建议穿一双厚实且方便穿脱的袜子。
不需要。这座修道院属于拉利贝拉周边的二级景点,通常需要单独购票,目前的票价大约在1000埃塞俄比亚比尔左右。虽然它不在UNESCO核心遗址区内,但其历史价值和徒步体验绝对物有所值。
难度属于中等偏上,主要挑战来自海拔。从2600米的镇中心爬升到3150米的山顶,空气稀薄会显著增加疲劳感。建议在拉利贝拉镇停留一天适应海拔后再尝试攀登,或者选择租用骡子分担体力消耗。
每年的10月到次年3月是最佳季节。这时候是埃塞俄比亚的旱季,天空呈现深邃的蓝色,山路干爽不湿滑。如果是在6月到9月的雨季前往,山路会变得极度泥泞且容易遇到雷暴,山顶的能见度也会大打折扣。
通常情况下允许拍照,但禁止使用闪光灯以保护古老的羊皮卷和壁画。在拍摄僧侣或珍贵法器之前,最好先点头示意或征得对方同意。有些僧侣可能会在展示完十字架后期待一点小额的小费,这在当地属于惯例。"
A 驁 K It’s 20$ usd cash per person to enter, which is extortionate. Not included with your 100$ church ticket. Wait for the lady at the blue sign to pay. Do not give money to anyone else except at the monastery entrance sign. The monastery itself is mildly interesting. The views of canyons and farms along the way are beautiful. The hike + visit will take you about 5 hours round trip including breaks, starting from the town center. Expect the usual tip hassling along the way, though much less than Lalibela proper. A guide is not needed, you can follow the route on google maps though there is a minor shortcut along a sketchy cliff trail you might not find on your own
Petr Kokaisl The journey to the monastery is much more enjoyable than the monastery itself. It’s another example of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s greed, asking for an entrance fee of 30 dollars. This is absolutely absurd, and I say this as someone who loves monasteries. But this fee is simply too much – it’s money wasted here. However, the surrounding area and the journey through the villages with stunning views of Lalibela and the surroundings are definitely worth it. If you take a tuk-tuk, you can have it stop at the best spots for photos.
እዝራ Best place if you can I recommend hike to mountain it has best view
Tesfa Yohannes Merhatsidk Though not intricately built as the churches in Lalibela, going to this place is worth it just for the experience of getting there and seeing the surrounding area. I would recommend going there in the early morning or late afternoon as the climb takes it toll. The road to the church is not yet built so beware. Take a three wheeled taxies to there from city center as it would be cheaper for there to wait for you when you get down or hike. enjoy.
Carlos Sarasola Orio Amazing location for a little monastery, it’s worth the Climb here. The rocky mountaintop of this sacred mountain is beautiful and the 360° view of the surroundings spectacular.