“Pictures are a thousand words”: this saying does not work true for the greatness, majesty and challenges of trekking the mountains of Gheralta. Words, pictures or videos will not do justice to properly convey what one experiences in this area. The mountains, the churches, the humble locals and the villages are all beyond one’s wildest imagination and are something that one can only feel by experiencing it.
The Gheralta area is home to a number of rock-churches, some famous for their stone workmanship, and ancient paintings, and
others known for their magnificent view and difficult ascent. However, there is one church in particular that holds all these together: Abuna Yemaeta Guh.
High in the Gheralta Mountains lies Abuna Yemaeta Guh, an extraordinary rock-hewn church dating back to the 6th century. Its establishment is attributed to Abuna Yemaeta, one of the nine saints who were important to the early growth of Christianity in Ethiopia. This remarkable site is renowned for its thrilling cliffside treks, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and its beautiful church paintings.
The trek to the church is filled with climbing up and down steep paths and slippery slopes, and the most thrilling challenge just before reaching the church, is climbing a cliff face with only footholds and handgrips.
All these efforts, however, will eventually be rewarded with an unforgettable experience of reaching one of the most inaccessible churches in the world that earned it its nickname “Chapel in the Sky”. The interior of the church has remarkable murals of Old and New Testament stories. It is surprising to see that such great works of art existed in such a place that seems closer to the moon than Earth.
If you’re seeking adventure and a deep dive into history, a visit to Abuna Yemaeta Guh church
and the Gheralta area will truly be a once in a lifetime experience.
Gheralta: Churches In Rock
