Wukro Chirkos is a semi-monolithic church, meaning it was carved out of rock with parts of the church still reaching into the rock. Local tale reports that it was constructed in the fourth century during the reign of the twin kings Abreha and Asbeha. While scholars debate if it is younger than that, Wukro Chirkos is certainly older than the churches of Lalibela.
Wukro Chirkos is dedicated to the child martyr Quiricus of Tarsus. Due to its location at the outskirts of Wukro, without the need for extensive hiking and climbing, this church remains the probably most accessible rock church in Tigray.
The church's interior features symbolic stone carvings. Walls and ceilings show signs of damage from fire which is attributed to a ransacking by the forces of Imam Ahmed Gragn in the 16th century.
Access to the church is 150 ETB for adults (2017). A guide usually stays at the church who will call the priest with his key. The cache is not hidden in the churchyard - so technically, you would not need to pay for a visit, but that would be a miss.
Note by the owner (July 2019):
After four years in Ethiopia, my time in the 'Land of Origins' came to an end in July 2019. I have done my best to widen and maintain the net of geocaches in the country, but now need to call on my fellow cachers for help: If you venture out to search for this cache, please take a replacement container with you, just in case the original is gone. - Sundowner74 |