These African sites existed long before France’s Notre Dame Cathedral

Rock-hewn church (4th Century) – Ethiopia

The Abba Yohani Monastery was built in the 4th century during the Axum Dynasty. Abune Aron Ze Gamche was credited with its construction and had received help from Emperor Gebremeskel, the son of Emperor Kaleb of the Axum Kingdom. Since the churches are difficult to access, their interior is quite well-kept, complete with stunning frescoes of Christ and his disciples. The worshippers use handwritten books whose pages are made of parchment. Abba Yohani is just one of many centuries-old churches in Ethiopia. Some of them include Abuna Yemata Guh which was built 2,580 metres above ground and the medieval stone churches previously known as Roha.