Gebriel Wukien

Rock-hewn Churches of Tigray


In a grove of trees on the other side of the same mountain as Abba Yohanni, this architecturally interesting 15th-century church, is entered through a rock-hewn trench. Unfortunately the priest lives an hour away, meaning unless you’re lucky and he’s at the church when you come, you need to plan on up to a two-hour wait to get inside.

It’s 14km northwest of Abi Adi, just 1km off the main road (plenty of public transport passes the junction), and involves a not-too-tough 10-minute climb.

If you do get inside, the church has three aisles and four bays with well-carved details, six massive, finely hewn freestanding pillars and three cupolas.


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Nearby Rock-hewn Churches of Tigray attractions

1. Abba Yohanni

1.57 MILES

Impressively located halfway up a 300m-high sheer cliff face, this church is reached by a 15-minute climb using steps, tunnels and little bridges. The…