A girl collects water from a nearby well to take home next to debram Maryam monastery on Lake Tana. There are 37 islands on the surface of Lake Tana, of which, 20 house churches and monasteries of immense historical and cultural value. These churches, which are decorated with beautiful paintings, in addition to give cobi jo countless treasures. Because of their isolation, are often used to store art treasures and religious relics from all over the country. Access to some of these churches is restricted to women, although they can reach the shores of the island, not allowed to move beyond. However, women do have access to the churches of the peninsula and the nearby church Zeghne of Ura Kidane Mehret, and also Narga Sellassie. Kebre Gabriel: He is known for the magnificent manuscript of the four Gospels which is believed to date from the late fourteenth or early fifteenth. Ura Kidane Mehret: It is much more decorative and contains a conical thatched roof. It is painted with biblical scenes. Estifanos Dagger: It is considered as one of the most sacred islands of Lake Tana and according to legend was the temporary hiding place of the Ark of the Covenant. On this island is the church of San Stefano, which houses the "Blessed Virgin", painted around 1434. The real historical interest lies in the ark, where the window sides coffins, containing the mummified remains of ancient emperors of Ethiopia. Tana Cherkos: This former monastery is located on the western shore of Lake Tana. According to legend, it was here that St. Mary jo ba a wall rested during their flight to Egypt, and remained for three months and ten days. The monks say they have owned a necklace of his, who was allowed to leave. It is also said that the monastery was sacred to the Jews. Menelik I and other noble Jews, who after fleeing from King Solomon, brought the Ark of the Covenant to the monastery and did build a temple on this, that is decorated with precious stones. Six hundred years later, the Ark was carried Aksum.