I spent some time in Tigray over the weekend, visiting a lodge near Hawzen, a city about two hours drive from the regional capital, Mekelle. The nearby attractions are ancient churches, carved out of rock up in the mountains, the oldest site dating back to the 4th century, by local records. We visited three churches in total, Daniel and Miriam Korkor, as well as Abuna Yemata, which is on a different mountain. Abuna Yemata is said to be the most inaccessible church in the world, sitting on the top of a 2500m mountain. It was a really special trip, probably one of the coolest things I've done since being in Ethiopia.
Below are a selection of pictures:
View from Miriam Korkor Church
A priest is pictured inside the Miriam Korkor Church. The church is completely carved of solid rock, dating back to the 4th century in local records, though historians have dated it around 11th century.
The small town of Megab, which sits it the shadow of the mountain range.
Two scouts sit at an ancient olive tree at the base of the mountain containing Abuna Yemata Church.
Human remains are pictured in an open air tomb at the top of Abuna Yemata Church.
A wall painting inside of Abuna Yemata Church, which is said to have been built by a Syrian priest in the 5th century. It is said to be the most inaccessible church in the world.
"The Ledge", a rather terrifying passage to the entrance of the Abuna Yemata Church.
Obligatory sunset pic, a view from the Gheralta lodge where we stayed.