Highlights: Tigrey, Northern Region of Ethiopia
Tigrey
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Worth Noting:
Type:
- Rock-hewn churches
- Trekking
- Horse riding
- Mountain climbing
- Religious sites
- Geographical sites
Difficulty:
- Physically challenging
Park Fees:
- Under 50 USD
About Tigrey
The jutting rocks and cliffs of Tigrey region are striking formations in themselves, made even more remarkable by the churches cut into many of their peaks. Some of these churches are dated to even earlier than those of Lalibela, possibly from the 4th century AD.
The region, once known for aridity and desertification, has recently invested in improving its fertility with projects such as water collection and terracing, and was in 2017 given a gold award by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Many of the slopes and hillsides of the region are now lush, green and covered in flowers, making their contrast with the stark auburn peaks even more arresting.
Possibly the most extraordinary site for a church is that of Abuna Yemata Goh, built by a saint of the same name. The church is reached by a 2-hour climb up the cliff, which includes a section of clambering up a sheer rock-face using handholds and footholds in the rock. It’s said that no one has fallen while doing the climb because the nine apostles – stone pinnacles surrounding the church – are watching over climbers. Experts believe the paintings on the walls and roof of the church are the most sophisticated of their type.
There are huge numbers of churches in the area, some of which are yet to be explored. Notable amongst these are Wukro Kirkos, Tigrey’s earliest church, Abuna Gebre Mikael, set into the base of a cliff, and Debre Maryam Korkor, with its unexpected pillars and arches.
Mekele, the capital of Tigrey region, is a vibrant and welcoming town with several markets, a surprisingly high number of bars and cafés, and an attractive web of cobbled walking streets.
Other Highlights In The Eastern Region
The most famous site in Ethiopia, and the one that arguably no visitor should miss, is Lalibela. Sometimes called the Eighth Wonder of the World, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities, visited as a pilgrimage site by many Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. ...
The jutting rocks and cliffs of Tigrey region are striking formations in themselves, made even more remarkable by the churches cut into many of their peaks. Some of these churches are dated to even earlier than those of Lalibela, possibly from the 4th century AD. The region, once known for ...
Once the capital of the Axumite Empire, Axum, also known as Aksum, was once a major trading centre with ties to Persia, Arabia, India and Rome. The Empire’s heyday was from the 1st to the 7th centuries AD, during which time the kingdom became known as Ethiopia. In ...
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Established as the capital by Emperor Fasiladas in 1636, Gondar was the Royal Capital of Ethiopia until the 1860s. The castles and palaces built during these years have led Gondar to be referred to as the Camelot of Africa, and to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the demise ...
On the southern shore of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake and the source of the Blue Nile, Bahir Dar is an attractive palm-lined town. Lake Tana is dotted with islands, some of which have monasteries containing the remains of ancient Ethiopian emperors and treasures of the Ethiopian church. ...
Accommodations Near Tigrey
This tall cream building towers over Mekele. This welcoming town is the gateway to both the Tigrey Region with its extraordinary rock churches, and the Afar Region with Danakil Depression, Asale salt lake and Erte Ale volcano. There are 120 en-suite rooms in the main building and 64 in a separate building, ...
This Italian-owned lodge, set high on a hill, has super views of the rocky mountains that make Tigrey so striking. The 34 en-suite rooms are dotted around the hillside, 2 to each cottage. All the cottages are built according to local tradition, with stone walls held together without cement. All rooms have ...
This Italian owned lodge faces one of Tigrey’s most spectacular rock formations, bestowing on guests the changing colours of this view throughout the day. The 8 en-suite cottages are glass-fronted to maximise the stunning view, and can be single, double, family or twin as required. With cream walls, wicker furniture, ...
Planet Hotel is situated in Mekele, gateway to the region of Tigrey and its extraordinary churches carved from rocks. There are 120 en-suite rooms, made up of standard, twin, queen, king, suite bedroom, and executive suite. All rooms have satellite TV, intercom telephone, minibar, wired internet, Wifi, safe, hairdryer, toiletries, kettle, ...
On the top of a hill in the region of Tigrey, Wukro Lodge has astounding views of the rocky hills into which many rock churches are set, and of the lovely valleys between them. The eco-lodge is built in traditional style, using local techniques including stone walls with no cement, ...