In
Tigray, there are more than 150 rock hewn churches,
including some that are older than the church in
Lalibela, of which more than three quarters are
still in active use. These churches can easily be
explored with a vehicle or over a few days of
hiking. Some of the churches, especially the finest
ones are reached by long and steep walks that need a
fair level of fitness. Carved into the sandstone
cliff faces or outcrops, most of the rock hewn
churches of Tigray retain an aura of isolation and
mystery and many remain unexplored by foreigners.
The majority of these churches have very atmospheric
interiors with walls decorated with old murals,
paintings and relief carvings and every church has
its own oral tradition, regarding its founding and
excavation. The Gheralta region of Tigray has
spectacular scenery and the largest concentration of
rock hewn churches; Abuna Yemata, Debre Tsion, and
Mariam Korkor being the most famous.
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