The Rock-Hewn Churches of the Garalta Monasteries (Tigray, Ethiopia): the Comparative Analysis of Three Monuments of the Second Half of the 13th to the First Half of the 15th Centuries

Abstract

In the focus of this article there are three large monastic churches, carved out in the rocks of Garalta in Ethiopian region of Tigray: Maryam Dabra Qorqor, Maryam Dabra Tsion and Giyorgis Dabra Maar. Their creation dates back to the period from the second half of the 13th century (the dating of the church in Qorqor) to the first half of the 15th century (the dating of the church in Debre Maar). In many ways, these monuments are significantly different from each other: both in the different interpretation of the basilica plan and the forms and features of the decoration placement. According to hagiographic sources, each of these monuments is associated with the names of remarkable devotees. The article provides a comparative analysis of the architectural features of these three monuments, reveals their relationship with each other. The article also considers their relation to the local tradition of Aksumite architecture, innovative trends. The influence of these monuments on other rock-hewn churches of Tigray is also noted. Keywords—Ethiopia; Tigray; rock-hewn; churches; Garalta;