Tourist Attractions & Monuments Ethiopia

This church is undoubtedly the most difficult to reach, due to its spectacular location, buried as it is in the heart of a rocky outcrop, which can be seen from Mariam Korkor at the end of the rocky façade stretching north-westwards. It's also the best-known church in Tigray. After a good hour's ascent, many give up on the final stretch: a small sheer drop pierced by irregular holes where you have to cling on hand and foot, a few dead branches serving incidentally as a handrail - and recently, at last, a rope to get over the most perilous wall passage. If you're afraid of heights, don't bother - it's mission impossible! Those who overcome the obstacle won't regret it: the entrance to the church is located at the end of a narrow passage running alongside a vertiginous cliff. A few meters of this is a guaranteed thrill. Once your eyes have become accustomed to the darkness, you'll discover the frescoes that adorn the sanctuary. They are described as the finest ever discovered in the Tigray region. On the entrance ceiling, nine figures in a circle are identified by inscriptions as eight of the apostles and, according to an unconfirmed theory, Christ's brother is depicted. On the other dome, eight figures in the same posture represent eight of the nine Syrian saints who, according to tradition, were responsible for the evangelization of the country from the ^6th century onwards. The ninth, Abouna Yemata himself, is depicted on horseback on one of the walls. The freshness of the colors is an indication that these paintings date from the ^15th or ^16th century. The young priest in charge of this church will be happy to show you some richly illustrated and well-preserved ancient gheze bibles.

Please note. Due to the success of this church, which is very popular with tourists, the rope "helpers" have no qualms about trying to extort money from tourists (even though the rope was provided free of charge by an association to make the site a little safer). They ask for 100 birr each after helping you down, even if it means blocking your way if you don't comply. Don't let them do this to you, as it's not normal. Give them 50 birr for each person you help, and that's more than enough. The priest will also ask for 100 birrs per person, which is more like 50 birrs on top of the entrance fee.

If you have to limit yourself to just a few churches, this visit is a must in Tigray. Access to the churches is challenging, to say the least, but the panorama is spectacular throughout the hike. After a short walk across the fields at the foot of the cliff, the climb begins through a narrow, steep fault into which a natural staircase is carved. Once you've reached the first level, you can continue climbing either on the rock itself or along a winding, but less vertiginous path. Finally, after a good hour's climbing, the church's variegated facade comes into view. The interior is organized on a classical three-aisle plan, topped by a dome painted with a Greek cross motif. The arcaded walls feature a bestiary of human-headed animals, a winged monster and other more classical biblical figures and scenes. These paintings, by various artists, date from between the ^13th and ^17th centuries.

Not far away, along an impressive precipice, nestles the little cave church of Adouna Daniel, consisting of two richly decorated cavities. Getting there is quite magical, with an infinite panorama of splendid beauty. As the tabot has been transferred to Mariam Korkor, the sanctuary is considered abandoned. Before starting the descent, the extraordinary panorama embracing the Hausien plains, the Geralta mountains and, to the east, the Imbasneity mountains, helps you to regain your composure.

The local community has set up boat tours for tourists (prices per group of 1 to 4 people). A good opportunity to observe the many hippos here. You can go to Gelila Island (1h30 tour) or Tullu Guddu Island (half-day trip), which is very pleasant. Nice 1-hour walk on the island. Birdwatchers will be able to observe hundreds of birds on Bird Island on the way back, including pelicans. You can picnic and eat fish on the island, but negotiate the price beforehand. A few craft stands in the harbour.

Funded by the musée des Arts premiers du quai Branly, this very interesting museum opened in 2009 and describes (in English and French) the complex Konso society. Photographs and everyday objects are on display. The museum's mission is to protect and preserve the waka, carved wooden funerary steles placed on the tombs of Konso clan chiefs. These rare pieces have long been easy prey for traffickers and unscrupulous grave robbers. The architecture of the building pays homage to Konso culture.

The community of guides from the villages of the Lasta mountains offers fair-tourism treks, mainly in the Abuna Youssef massif. The money goes directly back to the communities, guides and rangers, since it's their own families who host you during your trek. The team speaks English and is super-professional. We recommend Fentaw as a friendly, experienced ranger, and Masrescha as a French-speaking guide. Several treks are possible, from two to seven days.

The massive edifice designed by the founder of the Gondar dynasty dominates all other buildings. It was the first castle built in 1630, and the centerpiece of the fortified city. Fasiladas was a master builder. In addition to this palace, he built various residential complexes in the region. He also rebuilt and richly endowed the church of Daga Estifanos on Lake Tana, and that of Sainte-Marie-de-Sion, in Aksum.

This square-shaped castle, flanked by four rounded corner towers and an imposing watchtower, is protected by crenellated walls that give it a fortress-like appearance. Built of irregular rubble, the palace displays a combination of Axumite, Portuguese and Indian architectural and decorative influences. The raised first floor, to which a monumental staircase leads, houses a vast reception hall. This is divided by a partition with a fireplace, delimiting the space for men and women. On the wall, a Cross of David reminds us that the emblem was adopted by the Ethiopian imperial dynasty. The first floor opens onto a vast terrace where religious ceremonies were held; the small adjoining room would have been the sovereign's prayer chamber. It was from the small balcony that Emperor Fasiladas addressed his subjects. Higher up, a staircase leads to the royal chamber and a second terrace - which, 32 m above ground, offers a panoramic view of the city - and, further on, to the shores of Lake Tana.

Built in a cave, this is a troglodyte church in the Lasta mountains, more precisely the Abuna Youssef massif. It is actually located just above the church of Asheten Mariam (the two religious sites can be visited together), but is not linked to it by a path. It is the work of Na'akueto La'ab, nephew and adopted son of Lalibela and last ruler of the Zagoué dynasty in the ^13th century (1212-1260). Legend has it that he prayed lying on swords and ascended to heaven body and soul. Paintings tell of his hunt for the bandit Tsarakems, who urged the population to believe in other gods and who eventually became an evangelist after receiving the king's pardon.

Inside the church, basins collect the holy water that trickles down from the Asheten Mariam church. The faithful consume it for its curative virtues and power to chase away evil spirits. Among the treasures on display are crowns, beautiful illuminated books, crosses and a gold and silver drum. The priest will be happy to show them off for your camera, so make the most of this privilege as the treasures of this church are priceless.

Some of the paintings clearly show a Byzantine influence in the gesture of the two fingers raised in blessing. At festive times, and especially at Christmas, the place becomes exceptional, as huge crowds come to pray fervently, sing and dance in this church. It's well worth the climb!

The rectangular church, the ancient temple forbidden to women, was built in the ^17th century by King Fasilidas on the site of what was probably the first church in Africa, erected in the early ^4th century under the reign of Ezana. Enlarged in the ^6th century by King Kaleb into a majestic cathedral, the edifice was probably destroyed after the fall of the kingdom of Aksum, and again in the ^16th century during the Gragn raids.

Today's architecture, with its crenellated walls and three naves topped by domes, is reminiscent of Gondaran buildings. The building, where some Ethiopian sovereigns were crowned, houses an interesting collection of musical instruments and crosses.

In 1952, Emperor Haile Selassie undertook the construction of a new cathedral as a reminder of the spiritual importance of this cradle of Ethiopian Christianity. Also dedicated to St. Mary of Sion, the basilica stands out from the landscape.

Between the two churches stands a strange chapel, home to Ethiopia's thickest mystery, the legendary Ark of the Covenant. The chest which, according to the Bible, contains the Tables of the Law of the Ten Commandments. The Church of Ethiopia's account of the Ark is based on the Kebra Nagast, a ^14th-century book that established the myth of Solomonic royalty. The Ark is said to have been offered by the Hebrew king Solomon to Queen Makeda of Sheba after his visit to Jerusalem. It was then taken to Ethiopia by their son Menelik. Today, it is hidden from the eyes of men and guarded by a voluntary prisoner, confined to the building for life. Off-limits to women, the building's basement contains an important treasure trove of crosses, crowns and musical instruments. In the sanctuary's garden, note the presence of large carved stone blocks, the bases of ancient thrones on which Ethiopian sovereigns were crowned, but which were probably also dedicated to pre-Christian divinities. Outside the enclosure, the small church of Arbatu Ensessa is worth a visit for its remarkable murals.

The church is once again part of history, tragically, as the Maryam Ts'iyon massacre took place here in December 2020 during the Tigray war. According to Amnesty International, some 750 people who had taken refuge in the church were executed in the square by the Ethiopian army and Amhara militia.