Co-ordinates: 13° 52’ 1’’ N, 39° 20’ 1’’ E

 

Location:

The church is located midway up a west facing slope above the plateau settlement of Angua. The old built church of Mika’el Angua lies below while the disused rock church of Giyorgis Angua is further above. The slag that was removed to create the new church appears as a landslide of white sandstone and is easily recognisable on approach.

 

Site Description:

(by Tarn Philipp)

Mika’el Angua is carved into the west rock face. The church is square in plan and four bays in width and three in depth. A central square maqdas extends a further bay east. The church includes two entrances from the west. The right entrance is rectangular while that to the left is arched and descends several steps. There are no other openings.

The six freestanding columns are square in plan with chamfered corners. Some of the chamfers are indented so that the column shaft on either side protrudes. Pilasters are only found on the south and west walls. Arches are sprung in every available position and the ceiling is flat throughout. The columns do not have a base or capitals, however the base of the arches protrude slightly to distinguish them from the columns. Some columns include an unusual decorative feature in the upper corner, where an extruded block rises from the spring of the arches to the ceiling. This detail is said to be inspired by the old church above. Unfortunately, time did not enable a visit to confirm this.

An unusual double arch is found carved in the central bay of the north wall and the central and west bay of the south wall. The upper arches protrude from the wall in a precarious manner. Integrated seating forms the base of the north, south and west wall. The three east bays are raised a step above the rest of the church. Another step rises at the arched entrance to the maqdas which is square in plan. The ceiling is comprised of a low flat beam around the edges which supports a flat roof with a central dome. The ceiling of the maqdas is significantly lower than the rest of the church. The manbara tabot is not rock-hewn and will likely be brought, along with the tabot, from the old church. While the excavation was complete at the time of this visit, the church was not yet in use. It has since been consecrated. Mika’el Angua is among the more refined new rock churches in Tigray.

 

Getting There:

The footpath begins at the roadside near Tsella Abba Garima and is marked by an enormous tree on the edge of a river bed. A forty-five minute ascent offers astounding views over the valley before arriving on the plateau from where the church is visible.

A conversation with Qäsis Ḫaylay Mesgenna

Mika'el 'Angua
Ḥawzen, Tǝgray, Ethiopia
July 25, 2016

(please note: caption language can be selected under the "Settings" section in the video player)

A conversation with Tsegaye Abera and Habtu Tsegaye

Mika'el 'Angua
Ḥawzen, Tǝgray, Ethiopia
July 26, 2016

 

Images
(Please click to enlarge)

 

Architectural Drawings

(by Tarn Philipp)