Wukro Museum

Rock-hewn Churches of Tigray


One of the best museums in Ethiopia's north, Wukro Museum begins with some displays on generators and electricity in Wukro, which are interesting enough, but head instead for the southern wing with its fine exhibition hall covering archaeological finds from the 7th-century Sabean site of Meqaber Ga'ewa and elsewhere. There are tablet inscriptions, Axumite coins and a fine sacrificial altar. The labelling and information panels in English are outstanding, and there's no real need for a guide here.


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Nearby Rock-hewn Churches of Tigray attractions

1. Wukro Cherkos

1.37 MILES

This crooked cruciform sandstone church is semi-monolithic and boasts beautiful cruciform pillars (notice the swirling sandstone laminae), cubical…

2. Meqaber Ga'ewa

2.59 MILES

This ancient site is little more than a barely accessible archaeological dig, but it's an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to the 7th-century…

3. Abraha We Atsbeha

6.94 MILES

Architecturally speaking, this 10th-century church is one of Tigray’s finest. It’s large and cruciform in shape, with cruciform pillars and…

4. Mikael Barka

11.14 MILES

Atop a small but panoramic hill and behind an ugly 1960s facade sits this better-than-average rock-hewn church. It has thick cruciform pillars, small…

5. Yohannes Maequdi

12.47 MILES

High atop the mountain and not visible from the ground below, this rectangular chapel has six freestanding pillars that support a ceiling carved with…

6. Abuna Abraham

13.6 MILES

Rectangular in shape, with six massive free-standing pillars, this large and impressive 14th-century church (also known as Debre Tsion) is known for its…

7. Dugem Selassie

13.76 MILES

Built into a small outcrop rather than a big hill, this church feels like a tomb and may have been one before being converted. The 19th-century ‘new’…

8. Maryam Papaseit

13.9 MILES

In a pretty valley south of Hawzien and signposted off the Megab-Wukro road, Maryam Papaseit is one of the most accessible and rewarding churches in the…