Michael Imba is one of the most important rock-hewn churches in Atsbi Womberta. Located South of Atsbi, northeast of Agulae, a little above the Desaa forest, near to the green town of Hayk Mesahl, its a monolithic rock church with several rooms.. The interior is huge (16.6m wide and 9m deep) with 25 pillars (nine freestanding) holding up the 6m-high carefully crafted ceiling.
It is possibly dating to the 11th century.
Its one of the oldest standing wonder churches in Tigrai entirely curved out of a single mountain rock with its floor at ground floor. Lalibela has typical resemblance to Michael Imba. However, Michael Imba was carved about 200 before Lalibela, and it may well have been used as a model by the designers of the Lalibela churches.
It’s atop an inaccessible flap rocky mountain, where reaching it would have been difficult without the long steep man-made stairs. The view from here is great.
