Tigray Rock-Hewn Churches

The Tigray region of Ethiopia is rich in history dating back to the first civilization within Ethiopia. Emperors once ruled from the Tigray region. During the fifth century, the missionaries later called the Nine Saints, descended on Africa in what is now Tigray. For centuries, this region played a major role in Christianity. The major draw to Tigray is the rock-hewn churches, some of the oldest churches in the world. There are several clusters of the famous rock-hewn churches. Some are off the road, while others need hiking up a mountain. Some even require a little rock climbing. The churches are hidden in the mountains, which were all built between the fifth and seventh centuries.