Steep climbs lead to sacred spaces carved high into the cliffs of Ethiopia

This short documentary captures how geography, spirituality and cultural heritage converge in the rock-hewn churches of Tigray in Ethiopia. Built into the cliffs of the country’s northern highlands, these remarkable collaborations between humans and nature, believed to date back to the 4th century CE, have provided sanctuary for Christians during times of persecution. Despite deterioration due to time and conflict, they remain active places of worship for Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christians in the region today. Indeed, two more of these sacred sites were built in 2023, adding to millennia of construction.

Directed by the Ethiopian-American filmmaker Sosena Solomon, the short highlights local voices – including Ethiopian priests and academics – who guide viewers through the rich history and contemporary significance of these monuments to faith in the region, as well as the continued threats they face. The film is part of the short documentary series Africa’s Cultural Landmarks, which was produced by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in collaboration with World Monuments Fund.