A travel blog about adventure and culture

Traveler´s Buddy

  • HOME
  • TRAVEL 101
  • TRAVEL JOURNAL
  • DESTINATIONS
    • Africa
    • America
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • TRAVELBUZZ
  • MORE
    • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
    • Work with me
      • Media content
      • Video Content
      • Photography and Video content
    • Contact me
    • About me
    • MediaKit
Danakil depression camel caravan
Avatar
Juan Martinez
Thursday, 04 February 2021 / Published in Africa, Destinations

Marveling Abuna Yemata Guh, Ethiopia’s church in the sky

Abuna Yemata Guh, Ethiopia’s church in the sky

Abuna Yemata Guh is not like any other church in the world. This rock-hewn sanctuary stands 250 meters above ground and in order to reach it, you are required to climb up and face death.

“There is no other place in the world where you can get closer to God”, these are the words most Ethiopians use when they talk about Abuna Yemata Guh, a rock-hewn church located in Northern Ethiopia. Unlike any of the other 34 rock-hewn churches in the country, Abuna Yemata Guh is a little bit different. It is situated within a cliff face 250 meters above the ground and halfway up a sheer rock pinnacle. Furthermore, in order to get there, pilgrims have to climb up the steep rock – all without so much as a rope.

Entrance to Abuna Yemata Guh in Ethiopia
Entrance to Abuna Yemata Guh in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s deep connection with God

As one of the world’s first advocates of Christianity, religion plays a big role in Ethiopians life. Most of the population of the country considers themselves religious in some form and with almost 50% of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, exploring some of the Orthodox churches in Ethiopia is big part of learning about Ethiopian culture and heritage.

Religious art inside the Abuna Yemata Guh church
Religious art inside the Abuna Yemata Guh church

I’ve been to Ethiopia a couple of times in the past years and each time I go there, I feel the necessity of learning more about Ethiopia’s sentiment for religion. I have visited several churches in the country, including the monolithic church in Lalibela, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, and even participated in some of their sublime ceremonies.

Even though Ethiopia is not known for being a destination for religious pilgrimage, I felt here a deeper connection to God than in other religious places around the world like Vatican City or the Western Wall.

An Orthodox priest guarding the entrance of a church
An Orthodox priest guarding the entrance of a church

Climbing as an act of faith

Out of all the churches, temples and sanctuaries from all different religions in dozens of different countries I visited in the past decade, there is nothing like Abuna Yemata Guh.

According to a local legend, nine monks from Byzantium arrived in northern Ethiopia back in the 5th century. After they settled in the region and indoctrinated the population into Orthodox Christianity, they developed the skills of excavating monolithic churches. One of these monks, Abuna Yemata, started the task of constructing a church so high, that it will get closer to God. He excavated what today is Abuna Yemata Guh and despite the difficult task of free climbing 250m high in order to get there, he worshiped here each Sunday and held his service.

The path to Abuna Yemata Guh is not easy for those afraid of heights
The path to Abuna Yemata Guh is not easy for those afraid of heights

Today, 6th century paintings on the walls and the basic structure of the church are in excellent conditions. Furthermore, a local Orthodox priest is continuing the tradition of holding ceremonies here and has been climbing Abuna Yemata Guh every day for the past 50 years.

Locals from all over Ethiopia come here to pray, Abuna Yemata Guh is very popular for baptisms and special pilgrimages. Devotes come here to experience a ceremony that can only start after facing death.

According to the Washington Post, no person has ever died while trying to accomplish this very difficult task. “The route is blessed – God is watching for us” is what the people living around this sacred location said.

Any person can visit Abuna Yemata Guh. The church is open to the public for anyone ready to take that leap of faith and climb all the way up. However, climbing upwards is not easy under the heavy Ethiopian sun and without proper equipment.

At some sections, locals even recommend to leave the shoes down in order to get more grip and feel more comfortable with the rock.  

Read more: In search for Ethiopia’s atypical rock-hewn churches

Locals find shelter and warm in churches excavated from a rock
Locals find shelter and warm in churches excavated from a rock

Locals are making this visit a little bit more accessible for foreigners in the past years, as unofficial guides help travelers for 20-30 USD to go all the way up. They even carry ropes for the difficult parts of the route.

Climbing Abuna Yemata Guh is not about the views or the adrenaline itself. It is about a better understanding Ethiopians love for God and experiencing one of the most incredible pilgrimages on Earth.

Read more: Visiting the most bizzare landscape in the world – the Danakil Depression

View from the Abuna Yemata Guh church
View from the Abuna Yemata Guh church

Want to see more about Abuna Yemata Guh?

Check out one of my favorite videos about this magical place:

The most hardcore baptism you’ll ever see

This is the most hardcore baptism you’ll ever see – a mum carrying her baby to a church up a near-vertical cliff face. 😱 (Via BBC Stories)

Gepostet von BBC News am Mittwoch, 7. März 2018
  • Tweet
Tagged under: Abuna Yemata Guh, Africa, culture, East Africa, Ethiopia

What you can read next

How Finnish food connects culture and nature
Hidden Gems of Africa – How to Plan a Trip to Niger
Hidden Gems of Africa – How to Plan a Trip to Niger
The Thai Park: Thailand’s most delicious contribution in Berlin

See my work for Lonely Planet

Juan Martinez - Lonely Planet Berlin

See more of my work

Juan Martinez BBC Travel - Deutsche Welle

Follow me on Instagram

Instagram Juan Martinez Travelers Buddy

Follow me on facebook

facebook banner travelersbuddy

See my videos on YouTube

youtube channel Travelersbuddy

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • Can you match these Australian destinations with their photograph?Can you match these Australian destinations with their photograph?
  • The art of slow travelling in the BahamasThe art of slow travelling in the Bahamas
  • Hidden Gems of Africa – How to Plan a Trip to NigerHidden Gems of Africa – How to Plan a Trip to Niger
  • Visiting an ice cave in Austria: Eisriesenwelt or Dachstein?Visiting an ice cave in Austria: Eisriesenwelt or Dachstein?
  • How to Plan a Day Trip to Kaieteur Falls: A Step-by-Step GuideHow to Plan a Day Trip to Kaieteur Falls: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How Qatar’s cultural diversity revives your sensesHow Qatar’s cultural diversity revives your senses
  • Exploring West Side National Park – The Bahamas’ unspoilt secretExploring West Side National Park – The Bahamas’ unspoilt secret
  • Andros is the Bahamas´ big yard of biodiversityAndros is the Bahamas´ big yard of biodiversity
  • Why wildlife sanctuaries in Africa are so important?Why wildlife sanctuaries in Africa are so important?
  • Visiting Yaxha, an alternative to the Mayan City of TikalVisiting Yaxha, an alternative to the Mayan City of Tikal

RECENT POSTS

  • Djenne mosque from restaurant viewpoint

    Everything you need to know before to travel to Mali

    Untouched, volatile, yet incredibly rewarding, ...
  • How to plan the perfect safari trip in Africa

    How to choose the perfect African safari trip

    Destination, budget, type of safari—here, I wil...
  • Which are the most bizarre travel experiences in Burkina Faso

    Which are the most bizarre travel experiences in Burkina Faso

    From sitting next to wild crocodiles, to ceremo...
  • Best things to do in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

    Best things to do in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

    Often overlooked due to its remote location, Ou...
  • How to plan a safari trip on a budget

    How to plan a safari trip on a budget

    Can safaris be done on a budget? After experien...
  • How to plan a trip to Mauritius

    How to plan a trip to Mauritius

    There are only a few countries most travelers c...
  • Hidden Currency Markets: 6 Countries with Favorable Parallel (Black) Market Exchange Rates

    While in some countries exchanging money is jus...
  • Best things to do in Niamey

    Niger Unveiled: Best things to do in Niamey

    Being one of the less traveled capitals in the ...

WRITE YOUR STORY

We accept guest posts from bloggers, journalists or travel enthusiast about anything what motivated you to travel and experience new things

CONTACT ME HERE

WORK WITH ME

Last year we worked with over 10 different tourism boards from all over the globe. Learn more how we can work together and present how awesome your destination is

CONTACT ME HERE

COME AND SAY HI

Don't be shy and just drop us an email. It´s free

CONTACT ME HERE
Travelers Buddy Mountains Footer
  • Home
  • Travel journal
  • About me
  • Contact me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Imprint
  • More about Traveler´s Buddy
  • Travel journal
  • Home
  • About me
  • Work with me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Contact me
  • GET SOCIAL

www.thetravelersbuddy.com© 2021. All rights reserved

TOP