This remarkable church dates all the way back to the 5th century, with its history, wall art and remote location making it one of the most unique places of worship in the world. Some say it was built here to be closer to heavenly spirits. Others claim it was a strategic move to avoid enemies. Whatever the reason, over 1,500 years later, Abuna Yemata Guh remains as breathtaking as ever.
If churches were assessed by their risk factor, Abuna Yemata Guh would be our new Sistine Chapel. Halfway up a steep sandstone cliff, with a sheer drop in every direction, the church looks perilous to reach and visitors need to make a vertical climb to enter the holy space.
To access the entrance, there is only one way up. Worshippers navigate a rock face that appears fraught with danger, however in the thousands of years that people have been making the journey, it is believed nobody has ever fallen. To this day, young children, pregnant women and elderly locals continue to make the trek to attend traditional services. At the bottom of the cliff itself, visitors must remove their shoes and then set off on the approximately 20-minute climb.
Located in the Tigray region in Northern Ethiopia, its existence is traced back to a man called Father Yemata, one of the historical Nine Saints of Ethiopia.
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Light seeps into the hollowed-out space through small holes in the wall, illuminating the beautiful ceiling frescos and wall paintings. Another of Abuna Yemata Guh’s most precious objects is its ancient goat-skin bible.
There are 20 clergymen at the church, and a chief priest who makes the journey up every morning. If you want to see more, check out our video on Abuna Yemata Guh below!
