Perched on a rocky pinnacle just outside Aksum, Abune Penteleon Monastery traces its origins to the 6th century AD, when Pentaleon, one of the Nine Saints from Byzantium, established it as a center of faith. Built over an Axumite-era temple, its remnants include Ge’ez inscriptions and window tracery, while Sabaean and Greek inscriptions hint at its earlier use as a pagan shrine to Mahrem, the god of war. King Kaleb sought blessings here before his victorious South Arabian campaign, later renouncing his throne to live in monastic seclusion. Today, the monastery stands as a spiritual and historical retreat, offering visitors a glimpse into Ethiopia’s rich religious and royal heritage.