Three Days Rock Churches of Tigray – Start in Mekele and End Axum

The paved Mekelle-Wukro road via the small town of Mai Mekden begins its course by climbing the mountain Mesebo up to a highland plain, reaching Wukro after 47km. This small, fast-developing town provides a convenient jump-off for many of Tigrai’s most famous tourist attractions, with connections to Atsbi, Tsaeda Imba, Hawzien, Adigrat, and Aksum. Wukro Cherkos - The northern edge of Wukro town holds a rock-hewn church called Wukro Cherkos. It is a semi-monolithic church whose side walls, front wall, and roof are completely separated and projecting from the main rock. The Church of Abraha Atsbeha - About 15km drive west from Wukro; Abraha We Atsbeha is located in one of the most scenic sites of the region. Considered among the country’s earliest churches, it is known for extraordinary interior decoration as well as its magnificent murals. Later we will drive to visit one of these rock churches. ATSBI – WONBERTA East of Wukro town lies the Atsbidera plateau with its striking churches – Mikael Barka, Mikael Imba, and Debreselam Mikael. These splendidly executed edifices are found perched on mountains with commanding the views of their surroundings

The paved Mekelle-Wukro road via the small town of Mai Mekden begins its course by climbing the mountain Mesebo up to a highland plain, reaching Wukro after 47km. This small, fast-developing town provides a convenient jump-off for many of Tigrai’s most famous tourist attractions, with connections to Atsbi, Tsaeda Imba, Hawzien, Adigrat, and Aksum. Wukro Cherkos - The northern edge of Wukro town holds a rock-hewn church called Wukro Cherkos. It is a semi-monolithic church whose side walls, front wall, and roof are completely separated and projecting from the main rock. The Church of Abraha Atsbeha - About 15km drive west from Wukro; Abraha We Atsbeha is located in one of the most scenic sites of the region. Considered among the country’s earliest churches, it is known for extraordinary interior decoration as well as its magnificent murals. Later we will drive to visit one of these rock churches. ATSBI – WONBERTA East of Wukro town lies the Atsbidera plateau with its striking churches – Mikael Barka, Mikael Imba, and Debreselam Mikael. These splendidly executed edifices are found perched on mountains with commanding the views of their surroundings

The Gheralta cluster is the most extensive cluster with some of the most stunningly situated churches. The following are the most visited churches of this cluster. If you’re in Hawzien on a Wednesday, take time for a stroll through the market. It’s one of Tigray’s most important and between mid-October and May, it sometimes receives camel caravans bringing salt from the Danakil. You may also want to look at the patch of ruined houses and bomb craters at the west end of town that remain from an attack by the Derg in 1988 that killed 2500 people. An obelisk-style monument to the victims sits in the middle of the roundabout in the centre of town.

All of which are very different in style but stunningly beautiful in their own way. To visit Abuna Yemata Guh, walking for about an hour to commence a steep ascent up the side of the Gheralta massif. This steep ascent soon turns into a climb using footholds and handholds chipped into the sandstone rock by the passage of many hands and feet. The climb and the walk along very narrow ledges with sheer drops to the side is not one for the faint-hearted. The church itself can be reached by walking out on a ledge one meter wide and with a 200m drop to the left-hand side. At the entrance, there is a small cave and a wooden door built into the rock. Of the three, Maryam Korkor is the most impressive architecturally. A huge, high ceiling is supported by 12 free-standing pillars. Looking at it you could not help but wonder how the architect managed to carve so high from the ground.

All of which are very different in style but stunningly beautiful in their own way. To visit Abuna Yemata Guh, walking for about an hour to commence a steep ascent up the side of the Gheralta massif. This steep ascent soon turns into a climb using footholds and handholds chipped into the sandstone rock by the passage of many hands and feet. The climb and the walk along very narrow ledges with sheer drops to the side is not one for the faint-hearted. The church itself can be reached by walking out on a ledge one meter wide and with a 200m drop to the left-hand side. At the entrance, there is a small cave and a wooden door built into the rock. Of the three, Maryam Korkor is the most impressive architecturally. A huge, high ceiling is supported by 12 free-standing pillars. Looking at it you could not help but wonder how the architect managed to carve so high from the ground.

In one day you will visit three churches; Abuna Yemata Guh; Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor. All of which are very different in style but stunningly beautiful in their own way. To visit Abuna Yemata Guh, walking for about an hour to commence a steep ascent up the side of the Gheralta massif. This steep ascent soon turns into a climb using footholds and handholds chipped into the sandstone rock by the passage of many hands and feet. The climb and the walk along very narrow ledges with sheer drops to the side is not one for the faint-hearted. The church itself can be reached by walking out on a ledge one meter wide and with a 200m drop to the left-hand side. At the entrance, there is a small cave and a wooden door built into the rock. Of the three, Maryam Korkor is the most impressive architecturally. A huge, high ceiling is supported by 12 free-standing pillars. Looking at it you could not help but wonder how the architect managed to carve so high from the ground.

This is the most accessible cluster of churches in Tigrai. Sited only 3km east of the main Hawzien –Adigrat – Axum road. There are two main churches in this cluster Medhane Alem Adikesho: Clearly it is the Finest of the Teka Tesfai cluster. Some also argue it is one of the finest churches in Tigrai. It is most impressive for its size and complex architecture. The imposing exterior is cut free from the rock behind, with four columns in front and two large doors and it is covered in recent but very attractive paintings. The interior has a cathedral-like atmosphere, and the magnificent rook is dense with patterned etchings. Mikael Melhayzenghi: is a church which lies within a domed rock outcrop between Medhane-Alem and another church called Petro’s and Palus. This church is very different in execution from any other rock-hewn churches in Ethiopia. Mikael Melhayzenghi is entered via a low doorway which gives way to a surprisingly large interior with a finely carved dome almost 3m in height. Drive to Axum or Mekele.