Four Days Tour-Axum & Anicient Tigray Churches

Days

Trip Description

01 –

Flight Addis Ababa to Axum

Axum is once the capital of the Axumite Empire and an important trading centre in antiquity.

Axum survives to exert a profound influence on the imaginations and spiritual lives of many Ethiopians. A small and lowly town surrounded by dry hills, modern Axum does not easily yield evidence of the splendours and pageantry of its glorious past. Part buried, however, but also part exposed, the extensive traces of noble buildings with large stone foundations are found there side by side with the ruins of even more impressive structures: temples, fortresses, and rich palaces. Adding substance to ancient legends of fire-breathing monsters and testifying to the lost truths embedded in myths and fables, the bones of bygone eras protrude everywhere through the soil. Even today, long buried hordes of gold, silver and bronze coins are exposed by heavy downpours of rain. From around 200 BC to 700 AD, Axum was the seat of an Empire which extended across the Red Sea to Arabia, traded with India and China, had its own alphabet and notational system, constructed great engineering works and dams, and was reckoned in the fourth century to be one of the four great powers of the ancient world.

The tour starts with a drive out of town to visit the tombs of King Kelab and Gebre Meskel, passing Mai Shum (or the bath of the Queen of Sheba) and King Ezana’s stone on the way. On a clear day, the border of Eritrea can be seen from the tombs in the distance.

Drive back into Axum and tour the magnificent stelae, the world’s tallest monoliths, situated just north of the modern town square. Carved from a single piece of rock, some experts believe these were erected to mark the passing of some ancient royal personages. Others say that they had an astronomical function. In ancient times, seven of the tallest obelisks stood in the Park of the Stelae. The largest obelisk, more than 33 metres high, fell long ago and now lies in pieces. Another was 24 metres high and was returned from Rome to Ethiopia only in April 2005.

The oldest church in Africa was the first St Mary of Zion Church, originally built around the 4th century. Emperor Fasilidas replaced it with a newer church around 1635 which is still a place of active worship. The modern chapel next to St Mary of Zion church is said to contain the sacred Ark of the Covenant, but no one except the Orthodox priest who serves as the chapel’s custodian is allowed to enter the building. The museum, although in need of some extra funds, holds many interesting artefacts which follow the rise and fall of the Axumite Kingdom.

02-

Drive Axum to Hawzein

The Guh Mountain

Drive to Hawzein via Adwa & Yeha town. En route visit the ruin of Yeha Temple, famous for its huge and remarkable temple. According to the 19th century German scholar Heinrich Miiller, the temple is thought to date back to about seven or eight hundred years before the birth of Christ. The temple is believed to be the oldest standing building in the country. Beside the remarkable temple, a church dedicated to Abba Aftse stands. Abba Aftse was one of the famous nine saints who came to Ethiopia in the 6th century from the east Roman Empire to teach the Gospel. The church is rectangular in shape.

The most distinguished marvel monastery of Debre Damo- accessible only by rope and not allowed for women. Is unique and unforgettable, The bluff on which Damo stands is a real-life Shangri-la. Remote and beautiful, far from the hustle and bustle of the 21st century, the cool celestial island of rock offers panoramic views over the surrounding countryside and complete seclusion and peace for the hundred or so monks and deacons who live there. The monastery’s treasures include an extensive collection of illuminated manuscripts and the intricate carving on the beams and ceiling of the ancient church around which the monastery is built.

Check into – Gheralta lodge, the Gheralta area, with its unique chain of mountains, is the home of the rock churches, some famous for their architecture, ancient paintings and manuscripts and others known for their magnificent view. The lodge is famous for its restaurant with leisure area and service zone besides the four big secular ficus trees and a breath taking view of the Gheralta mountains landscape.

Day 03 –

Hawzein

Abune Yemata, pillars reaching to the sky

Abune Yemata, a rock-hewn church, carved on the cliff face of one of the mountains of Guh. The scenery is breathtaking and the mountains resemble pillars reaching to the sky. The church is carved on the cliff face of the Guh Mountains. The challenging and the only way to the church are footholds and handgrips in the rock face. Just before the entrance to the church there is a narrow ledge carved in the cliff from which one can view a sheer drop of approximately 250m to 300m. In fact, the church is not only known for its difficult ascent but also for its truly remarkable murals. It is colourfully decorated wall to wall with exciting murals of Old and New Testament stories. Nine of the twelve apostles are depicted in a round frame on the ceiling. Abune Yemata on his horseback is shown on one of the walls. Each church had a unique painting style. Yemata was the most elaborate.

As an alternative, one can visit more accessible churches like Debre Mariam Korkor, a rock church situated high mountains of Gheralta. It is one of the biggest and most complex rock-hewn churches of Tigrai. Then visit the nearby small rock hewn church of Daniel Korkor (Aba Daniel’s prayer room), or  drive to the; Tsaeda Imba village to visit the three ancient rock churches: Medhane Alem Adi Kesho considered by many to be Ethiopia’s oldest rock church; Petros wa Paulos and a carved rock dome church Mikael- Melehayzenghi dating to the 8th century.

Day 04 –

Drive to Mekelle & Flight back to Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa & Departure

Drive to Mekelle 100kms/2hrs, on the way visit Dugum Selassie, Abraha Atsbeha church and the Al Negash Mosque. It is the best place Islamic worship. It is the site of the first Muslim settlement in Ethiopia located in Tigray region and dated back to the 7th century following the coming of refuges who were the early follower of Prophet Mohamed including his daughter Ruquyya and his future wives Umma Habiba and Umma Salama. Then move to the rock church of Wukro Cherkos, at the edge of the small town of Wukro (47 Kms from Mekelle), on a knoll of red rock, is the rock- cut church of Wukro Cherqos. The church is supposed to have been constructed in the 4 C by the two kings Abreha and Atsbeha. It is one of the first of the rock churches of Tigray. The upper part of the wall and the ceilings were painted, even though, most the painting has been faded, but still a good impression of the decoration can be gained. A number of scenes can be distinguished: cherubim and angles, the Abune Samuel, the Nine Saints, St. Qirqos.Then transfer to Mekelle airport for your flight to Addis Ababa.

Last minute shopping in Addis Ababa or relaxing at your hotel and transfer to your hotel for the day use.

Visit to Entoto Hills – best introduction place to Addis Ababa. Mt. Entoto is the highest peak in Addis Ababa reaching 3,200 meters above sea level, giving the opportunity to catch stunning views over the city and the surrounding area from the summit.

It is the first settlement in Addis Ababa where Emperor Menelik II resided and built his palace in 1887. It is a historical place which offers a unique glimpse into the history of Ethiopia’s distinct culture. The compound at the peak hosts the Entoto Mariam church, an Ethiopian artefact muse-um as well as Menelik II palace.

In addition to its historical significance as one drive up the hill there is an appreciable drop in temperature and the air is filled with the scent of the Eucalyptus trees which line the road.

On the way up the roadside stalls offers fresh Ethiopian coffee.  Also, if you have an interest in Ethiopian traditional clothes stop by at Shero Meda Market. There is a wide variety of beautiful fabrics, shawls, scarves, dresses, tops and jewellery with lots of choice and really good for gift ideas.

Tonight you will have a wonderful cultural evening at one of Addis Ababa Restaurant; Ethiopia is a mosaic of people with more than 80 languages, different lifestyles, costumes and cultural dances. Take a chance to experience some of these cultural dances and traditional meals with a drink of Tej, a type of wine made from Honey.

DEPARTURE      Hope you enjoyed your stay with us, Many thanks for coming & Have the safest flight.