Ethiopia’s Abuna Yemata Guh church is the only place on the planet where you can take a literal leap of faith to test your devotion.
That’s because at 2,580 meters high, the world’s most inaccessible place of worship is built right into the side of a cliff, and it requires a perilous 45-minute climb up a vertical rock face to reach it!
But, once you see what’s hiding inside, you’ll understand why this crazy stairway to heaven is totally worth it.
They say cleanliness is next to godliness, but the Tigray region of Ethiopia has gorgeous sandstone spires that stretch so far up into the sky, they are practically knocking on heaven’s doorstep.
Some say that may actually be the reason why Father Yemata chose to build his church in such a precarious place over 1,500 years ago.
Legend has it that this priest walked here from Egypt to escape enemies, while others claim he just wanted to reach a higher place of divinity.
Whatever the reason, this guy had a thing for mixing in a dose of extreme sports with his devotion time!
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This area of Ethiopia is known for its unique rock-hewn churches, and Abuna Yemata Guh is just one of 34 others just like it that dot the local landscape.
However, it’s not for devotees that are afraid of heights. There are no elevators, trams, steps, wheelchair accessible ramps, or helpful handrails to help you get to the cave opening.
For the past 15 centuries, rare footholds in the soft sandstone rock have been the only things locals have had at their disposal.
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According to one of the site’s former priests, Kes Haile Silassie, no one has fallen and met an untimely end.
It’s so “safe” that even moms will to climb up with babies strapped to their back, so they can have their newborns baptised.
Others have been known to carry up the bodies of their loved ones, where they are buried in the mountains up top with a view that’s literally to die for.
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But, that’s not the only reason why people come here. It’s also a hidden mecca for adventure tourists who appreciate religious art.
While it might not compare to Renaissance beauties like the Sistine Chapel in terms of grandiose architecture, the inside of these “sky churches” are simply stunning!
Abuna Yemata Guh is home to some of the oldest religious frescoes you’ll ever see. It depicts figures from both the Old and New Testament, including nine of the twelve apostles.
These intricate paintings were created by anonymous artists centuries before Michelangelo was even born.
As for why they are so well preserved after all these years, you can thank the height and lack of humidity for that. Or perhaps God had something to do with it!
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The monolithic church is also home to this ancient goatskin-covered Illuminated Bible, which has been carefully tended to by devoted priests for centuries.
These servants of God live in the church full time, where they receive guests, perform mass and baptisms, and pray.
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Abuna Yemata Guh is open for tours if you like a bit of adrenaline mixed in with your vacation. And if you’re the praying type, you’ll be doing plenty of that on the way up – but hopefully, not on the way down!
@Dreaming Dreamer:
“This morning I decided not to go to church because I was too lazy to get out of bed early. Now this came up on my YouTube feed. Message received, God!”
Or, you can just watch the video below, where you can get whisked away to the highest of holy places through the safety of your computer screen.
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