Abreha and Atsbeha Church
Abreha and Atsbeha Church
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
31 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
10
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Christoph
7 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
During a day trip I was able to visit have two of the most impressive churches in the region that are very close to each other as well - Abrha we Atsbha and Abuja Yemata Guh. If you start early you will also be able to accommodate another visit to Maryam Kokor!
I was guided by Kidane who knows tons of the history of the rock-hewn churches - I am sure I would not have spent so much time in the churches were it not to his knowledge about them! He can be contacted through kidanegebru31@gmail.com and +251945063854, and I was lucky that he was available for the tour within a day of notice. After the tour he also showed me a local restaurant and coffee bar in Wukro, which was a nice end to a phenomenal day if you want to get a glimpse of the local town life as well.
I was guided by Kidane who knows tons of the history of the rock-hewn churches - I am sure I would not have spent so much time in the churches were it not to his knowledge about them! He can be contacted through kidanegebru31@gmail.com and +251945063854, and I was lucky that he was available for the tour within a day of notice. After the tour he also showed me a local restaurant and coffee bar in Wukro, which was a nice end to a phenomenal day if you want to get a glimpse of the local town life as well.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Howard H
Bangor, UK13 contributions
Feb 2020
Road to Abreha we Atsbeha is being constructed, so rough in places. Takes 45 mins from Wukro. Interior of church is stunningly decorated with frescoes and carving. Small but interesting museum attached. Local children sell fossil brachiopods to visitors. Saturday is market day, very colourful.
Written March 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawit Aragaw
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia93 contributions
Mar 2016
The environmental landscapes makes the church so marvelous. The paintings in side the church is so beautiful and well decorated. The church is old beyond your expectation. To reach this historical church you should drive through a rough road and sense the landscape. Continue your drive to the Gheralta rocky-cliff mountains chain hills and admire the rocks structure and formation.
Abreha we Atsebeha Church is one of the Tigray churches must visit by travelers.
Abreha we Atsebeha Church is one of the Tigray churches must visit by travelers.
Written April 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merhaba_11
Germany13 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
We visited the church during a service and therefore decided to walk out immediately without having a further look. While we backed out to the courtyard a monk followed us and claimed we should pay 250 ETB each. I had visited the church a couple of month earlier and was surprised about the fee and while I was trying to confirm the price another monk threatened my German friends with a stone that he aimed at her temple. I urged my friends to leave the courtyard and found myself a minute later as a hostage, locked in the monastery's courtyard - unfortunately without any network to call someone. There was not a moment we were not willing to pay the fee - but just to confirm the new, skyrocketed price. In the end I payed the 750 ETB for a 3 minute "visit" of the church - and a lifelong poor remembrance of Ethiopian monks delivering violence instead of Christian love.
Written March 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chnilly
Frankfurt, Germany1 contribution
Dec 2016 • Friends
I really recommend not going there but selecting another one of the various rock churches in the region, although this one is beautiful.
Since a few days, they have almost doubled the entrance fee. Raised from 150 birr (6 Euro) to 400 birr (10 Euro). This is announced only by a very tiny note at the entrance. The local monk vanished when we arrived, so we had to pay as we already touched the ground. We would never have accepted this, not because we don't have the money but because this is just greed. Pls compare you get a good dinner in Ethiopia already for 50 birr. The entrance fee just ends in the monks' pockets, it is neither used for renovation nor for social purposes (actually I have never seen so very poor people begging than just in front of the church).
When we refused to pay and wanted to leave instead, the monk took our shoes away. Trying to get them back, his assistant monk tried to beat us with his metallic walking stick! I am not making this up!! Such behaviour and treatment of visitors is just plain unacceptable and has nothing to do with religion.
I really hope people will drop this destination from their list until these monks find sense again. This kind of greed has to be stopped! It worked with another church before where they had to go back to acceptable (still high) entrance fees after no one visited anymore.
Since a few days, they have almost doubled the entrance fee. Raised from 150 birr (6 Euro) to 400 birr (10 Euro). This is announced only by a very tiny note at the entrance. The local monk vanished when we arrived, so we had to pay as we already touched the ground. We would never have accepted this, not because we don't have the money but because this is just greed. Pls compare you get a good dinner in Ethiopia already for 50 birr. The entrance fee just ends in the monks' pockets, it is neither used for renovation nor for social purposes (actually I have never seen so very poor people begging than just in front of the church).
When we refused to pay and wanted to leave instead, the monk took our shoes away. Trying to get them back, his assistant monk tried to beat us with his metallic walking stick! I am not making this up!! Such behaviour and treatment of visitors is just plain unacceptable and has nothing to do with religion.
I really hope people will drop this destination from their list until these monks find sense again. This kind of greed has to be stopped! It worked with another church before where they had to go back to acceptable (still high) entrance fees after no one visited anymore.
Written January 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bisrat T
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia32 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
Going through Gheralta mountains Is the most exciting and at times scary trip you can make in Ethiopia. Abrha and Atsbeha church is one of the old churches you can visit in the Gheralta mountain systems. Climbing up to Abune Yemata monastery is the most thrilling part of the trip. You will climb 7 meters of vertical rock either using a rope or your own hands and legs. Very dangerous and very scary. But, once you are on top, the breathtaking view is mind blowing. Because you will be walking on the edge of a huge cliff, the experience is a very unique combination of fear and excitement. MUST VISIT. Our guide in Gheralta was Gebrehiwot (Gebre in short). His number is +251 91 420 5694 . He is very very very good guide with great knowledge and experience about the area. He is very kind, helpful and accommodating. The food his cooks serve is also very good. Please use him when traveling in Tigray.
Written March 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ethiodemet
Gerstetten, Germany30 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
Unfortunately the church increased the entrance fee. 250 ETB per person is definitely too much. Especially if you ask, ehat the money is used for, you do not get an answer. What has been really bad is, that the responsible priest disappears, when he sees foreigners coming, waits, until they put off their shoes and enter i.to the church and then the guard removes the shoes until you have payed. They even used their sticks.... a real shameful behaviour and not a good advertisement at all. There are many other churches in the area, better visit one of them!
Written January 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
allenr619
Grinnell, IA34 contributions
Nov 2016 • Business
For a glimpse into the rich history of Ethiopia, and for an understanding of the meaning of faith in the lives of the people of this land, a visit to Abreha and Atsbeha Church is a MUST! Dating to the 4th Century, it is amazing to imagine how such a edifice could have been carved into the mountain. The iconography is beautiful. It is a holy, sacred place! The other thing I so appreciated is that it is "off the tourist route." Similar shrines can be seen at Axum and Lalibela - but the Church of Abreha and Atsbeha stands with quiet, unadulterated beauty over the widening valley below. Truly a beautiful site! Don't miss it!
Written December 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
Leicester, UK45 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
I have been regularly visiting this church for many yeasrs generally with locals. Worth a vist. Access relatively easy (about 200 steps only). Get a senior priest to explain things for a small donation (over the small ticket price) It is worth it. Take patience with small village children outside selling small fossils outside for pennies. No admission during Sunday morning mass or on special holy days. On Abreha Atsbeha day many thousands of pilgrims) so time is important.
Written July 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liza M
Rockville, MD18 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
this church has so many old books, a really enticing place to visit. Everyone welcomes you and happy to tell all the stories about it. I totally recommend tourists to go see this wonderful historical church
Written July 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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