lecture 3 rock & cave churchs of tigray

Examples

Tigrian Churches

1.Medhanealem Adi Kesho • One of the earliest church in rock

• Except for a single arch leading towards the sanctuary,

which is crowned with a dome, it is entirely linteled

• Ceilings above the high nave and the aisles are flat and

decorated with imitations of wooden paneling

Tigraian Churches

Examples 1.Medhanealem Adi Kesho

2. Wukro Maryam(Enda Maryam, Wukro) • Located about 25km. in a straight line to the southwest of Adigrat

• Constructed probably within the period of 1100-1310 A.D.

• Its plan is Basilica type with the nave rising much higher than the

aisles.

• It is 23m at its longest side and 9m at its highest point

3. Abreha wa Atsbeha

Later extension

Abreha wa Atsbeha

Examples 4.Abune yemata Guh

Examples

5.Wukro Cherkos

LALIBELA

A city carved from legend

The churches and

chapels in Lalibela are of

three groups

Rock churches in Lasta Lalibela

First group (symbolize earthly Jerusalem)

• Bete Medahane Alem (House of the holly savior)

• Bete Maryam (House of Mary)

• Bete Meskel (House of the cross)

• Bete Denagel (House of the virgins)

• Bete Golegota & Bete Debresina

Rock churches in Lasta Lalibela

Second group (symbolize Heavenly Jerusalem)

• Bete Amanuel (House of Emanuel)

• Bete Merkorios (House of St. Merkorios)

• Bete Aba Libanos (House of Father Libanos)

• Bete Gebriel - Rufael (House of Gebriel Rufael )

Third group (symbolize NOAH’S ark’)

• Bete Giorgis

First group

Group - 1 Churches /Earthly Jerusalem/

Bete Medhanealem

Bete Mariam

Bete Mariam

Adam’s tomb Bete Denagel

Bete Meskel

Bete Michael

Golgotha

Second group

Group - 2 Churches /heavenly Jerusalem/

Bete Merkorios

Bete Abalibanos

Bete Rufael/Gabriel

Bete Amanuel

Group 3 - The symbol of Noah’s ark

Bete Ghiorgis

Third group

Tunnels and passage

ways connecting the

churches