Bata Maryam Church sits close to the centre of Addis Ababa’s imperial memory. The church is associated with Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu, and its compound helps connect the modern capital with the political and Orthodox Christian world that shaped it.
It is not as famous as Holy Trinity Cathedral, but it is quieter and historically rewarding. Dress modestly, expect active worship, and give yourself time to absorb the compound rather than rushing through as another church on a list.