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ROCK HEWN CHURCHES OF TIGRAY TOUR

ROCK HEWN CHURCHES TIGRAY, TOUR. Our tour takes you back in time to the Queen of Sheba and earliest Christianity

Rock Hewn churches of Tigray, Tour

While the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are the most dramatic buildings, the cliff churches of Tigray show the most dramatic landscapes and the longest Christian tradition. Unknown to the world outside, these churches were first described by the British explorer Ivy Pearce as ‘the greatest of the historical-cultural heritages of the Ethiopian people’. It was not until some 4 decades ago that there were some 200 rock hewn churches, and even more may still be unknown. Most better-known churches are found in  the following clusters: Gheralta, Taka Tesfay, Atsbi, Tembien and Wukro.

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The churches are usually semi-monolithic - a part is cut out of rock, while another part is built with masoned rocks - or hewn out of caves. Many of them relatively easily accessible, but some can only be reached by climbing up difficult terrain or even a cliff. Being hidden in mountainous areas, the many of these churches are in surroundings of breathtaking landscapes.

Usually rather primitive in design, many of the churches have some classics inspired columns and they usually are divided into three spaces:

1. the most holy part, only accessible to the priest, where a replica of the stone tablet with the 10 commandments - is kept;

2. The inner ambulatory, which is used by communicants at mass; and

3. the outer ambulatory, which is accessible to anyone.

Like elsewhere in Ethiopia, in many churches one is expected to take off one's shoes and some churches and monasteries are only accessible to men. While the ages of the churches are usually unknown they seem to predate those at Lalibela, though few churches in Tigray are as immediately impressive as the ones in Lalibela.

Debre Maryam Korkor Church

Debre Maryam Korkor is one of the better known rock hewn churches. Only accessible by a steep path, one needs to be in a decent contdion to reach this church, but it is well worth the effort.

The facade of the Debre Maryam Korkor church has been built out of stone masonry, while most of the church has been cut out of the rock behind it.

The interior ambulatory. The columns, though rather primitive in design are obviously inspired by the classics.

Behind the second curtain is the holy part, only accessible to the priest.

The walls of the church are covered with hundreds of years old wall paintings.

The extremely old Debre Damo is 25 meters up a cliff, and can only be reached with a rope 25. A safety rope is supposed to prevent one from falling when slipping. This church is only accessible to men.

The Daniel Korkor rock hewn church is located at about 100 meters over a passable ledge, from the Maryam Korkor church. This charming little church gives a fabulously beautiful view of the Gheralte landscape. Behind the little door in the rock facade lies a relatively small space with primitive murals.

Abuna Yemata Guh Church

The Abuna Yemata Guh Church is one of the most beautiful rock hewn churches in Tigray. Be prepared though for a rather strenuous ascent though. It is good to know that there are always young men eagerly waiting to help you for a few Birr, and they are very good.

I always wondered, why somebody has not yet replaced this "bridge" by something a bit more solid.

The door to the Abuna Yemata Guh Church.

Inside the Abuna Yemata Guh Church.

Mikael Imba rock hewn church

The Mikael Imba church is one of the larger and easier accessible rock hewn semi-monolithic churches with many pillars inside. Predating Lalibela, it may have served as an example for those churches in the south. 

Exterior Mikael Imba Church.

Priest at Mikael Imba Church.

Abreha We Atsbeha church

Regarded by many experts as the finest church in Tigray, the Abreha We Atsbeha church is an important pilgrim destination on the 14th October. The carved ceiling is supported by several decorated arches. The church's guards many treasures, among them a prayer cross supposedly having belonged to Abba Salama, the first Bishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Medhane Alem Kesho Church

The Medhane Alem Kesho Church is one of Tigray's older and more beautiful churches. A four-wheel-drive track takes you within a very doable 10 minutes walk from the church. Inside, the church has a beautiful carved ceiling.

Wukro Chirkos Church

This semi-monolith church is te most accessible rock hewn church in Tigray.

Mikael Melehayzenghi Rock Hewn Church, Tigray

Learn all about the many Tigray's Rock hewn churches like this and many others. Concealed behind a regular door, it is one of the oldest rock hewn churches, the Mikael Melehayzenghi church with its fabulous relief carvings on the walls and ceilings.

Exterior Mikael Melehayzenghi rock hewn church.

Ceiling Mikael Melehayzenghi rock hewn church, Tigray.

ROCK HEWN CHURCHES TIGRAY, TOUR. Our tour takes you back in time to the Queen of Sheba and earliest Christianity

Rock Hewn Churches in Tigray, Ethiopia are among the oldest churches in the world.