Tigray Rock-Hewn Churches

Tigray is incredibly rich in history. The state can trace its roots back to one of the first civilizations in the region, with Emperors once ruling as early as the 5th century.

For centuries, the region played a major role in Christianity. Tigray was once the epicentre of the great ancient Axumite kingdom and the historic settlements of Axum, the kingdom’s capital. It is also the place of Yeha, a crumbling town of great importance, and Adwa, the location of the battle in the late 19th century in which the Italian army was conquered.

This rapidly industrializing region hosts many historical sites which date back to the 2nd century. Some of the great attractions of Tigray are its hundreds of ancient rock hewn churches, a number of which have been built into dauntingly high caves in the cliffs. Reaching these monuments is an unforgettable adventure.