As well as housing what are thought to be among the oldest rock churches in Ethiopia, Tigray is also a region of stunning geography - a land of harsh, mountainous terrain that contrasts sharply with the lush valleys of Southern Ethiopia.
Despite being one of Ethiopia's most fascinating regions, Tigray (or Tigrai) is also one of its least explored. This is largely owing to its location. Among the poorest and least fertile regions of Ethiopia, Tigray has long been plagued by conflict, first civil war within Ethiopia in the 1970s and 80s, and later war with neighbouring Eritrea. Today, however, the region is peaceful, and has been for some years. Road access into Tigray is also improving, making what was previously a notoriously difficult region to visit much more accessible. It is now also easy to fly to Mekelle, Tigray's largest town and de facto capital.
Tigray's main attraction is undoubtedly its rock-hewn churches, of which there are believed to be as many as 200. Widely dispersed throughout the region, Tigray's churches are less accessible, and attract far fewer visitors, than those at Lalibela. Certainly, none is as immediately striking as the Church of St George. But collectively, Tigray's churches are among Ethiopia's most impressive cultural sites. The Churches all differ, with some notable for their striking architectural design or impressive location, others for their artful wall murals and unique artifacts. The churches at Tigray have not been extensively studied, and the founding date of many of them is still a matter of contention, though a number are believed to pre-date the formation of the Axumite Empire and the arrival of Christianity in Ethiopia.
Tigray's churches are scattered throughout the region, and not all of them are easily accessible. Some of the most difficult to access are built into cliffs, and need to be climbed to, though the majority can be reached without great effort. A large number of these churches, including many of the most impressive such as Mariam Korkor, Debretsion (Abune Abraham), Abune Yemata (Guh), Yohannes Maequddi, and Selassie Degum, are concentrated in the mountains of Gheralta, and so for short trips into the region we recommend focusing on this area. The mountainous regions of Hawzien, Wukro and Astbi also house a number of churches, and can be explored on longer stays.
In and around Tigray, Ethiopia
Tigray can be experienced in 2 days, if visited as part of a Historic Route tour, but we recommend a longer stay for those who really wish to explore the region. Accommodation is limited, with the best options in Gheralta, where a large number of churches are also clustered. It is not practical to try and visit all of the Tigray churches, many of which are remote and some of which require you to climb, but the most important sites can be visited if you allow 3 days or mote. The Tigray region is also a great area for trekking and rock climbing, with a number of little-used routes.
Visit Tigray with Gane and Marshall
Gane and Marshall are one of the only UK operators to offer extensive tours of Tigray. We can help you plan a visit to this most remote region of Ethiopia, either as a standalone tour or as part of a broader "historic route" itinerary. Contact us to learn more.
You can read more about Tigray on our blog, or see our Tigray photo gallery on Flickr.
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