Abuna Yemata Guh
Church in Tigray Region, Ethiopia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Abuna Yemata Guh is a monolithic church located in the Hawzen woreda of the Tigray Region, Ethiopia. It is situated at a height of 2,580 metres (8,460 ft)[1] and has to be climbed on foot to reach. It is notable for its spectacular location, its architecture and dome dating back to the sixth century,[2] and its 15th century wall paintings.[3]
| Abuna Yem'ata Guh | |
|---|---|
ኣቡና የማታ ጉሕ | |
 Monk standing in front of Abuna Yemata Guh's entrance | |
 Abuna Yem'ata Guh | |
| 13.9152603°N 39.343071°E | |
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Denomination | Ethiopian Orthodox |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Dedication | Saint Abba Yem'ata |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Monolithic |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone |
About
The church is one of the "35-odd rock-hewn churches [comprising] the largest concentration anywhere in Ethiopia."[4] It is situated in the erstwhile Gar'alta district (woreda). The entrance is reached by a steep and hazardous ascent with hand and footholds in the rock.[5] Visitors have to cross a natural stone bridge with a sheer drop of approximately 250 m (820 ft) on either side, and thereafter a final narrow wooden footbridge.[6] The standing pillars are made up of Enticho and Adigrat Sandstones, which are the last erosional remnants of a sandstone formation that once covered the Precambrian basement.[7] Although Abuna Yemata Guh is the most inaccessible place of worship in the world, priests have not recorded deaths from the climb.[8]
History
According to a local legend, the church was hewn during the sixth century, and dedicated to Abuna Yemata (also referred to as Abba Yem'ata), one of the Nine Saints. The Nine Saints are traditionally believed to have originated from Rome, Constantinople, and Syria between the end of the fifth and beginning of the sixth centuries.[9][10]
Paintings in the church
Owing to the dry climate of the church, the paintings on the walls and domes of the church are well-preserved.[11] The design of the traceries in the church replicates those found in nearby churches of Gher'alta, such as Debre Tsion church (which houses more paintings depicting figures from the Old Testament than from the New Testament). The text found in these paintings is written in Geez.
The paintings, themed around the nine saints and twelve apostles, includes icons that are in the form of diptychs and triptychs,[12] are by tradition said to date back to the sixth century, although scholars have placed their creation to the latter half of the 15th century.[7] A 2016 study analyzing the paintings using X-ray fluorescence broadly supports the 15th century date, showing that most of the pigments used were sourced locally and that no underlying layer of paint existed, with the exception of the painting of Mary, where evidence of retouching was identified.[3]
Gallery
View of the church atop sandstone hill
The way to climb into the church. People can be seen at the top and bottom
Entrance to the church (the small hole seen in the lower-center)
Ascent to the church
A priest holding the staff
Another monk
Church interior
Close up of the fresco
Abuna Yemata
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See also
References
External links
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