Founded at least 2,800 years ago, Yeha was the most important city in the region before being usurped by Axum in the 1st century BC.
The remarkably well-preserved Almaqah Temple at Yeha is 12m high and estimated to be 2,700 years old. It was dedicated the Sabaean deity, Almaqah, and thought to be associated with a fertility cult. Local tradition also suggests that the Ark of the Covenant was kept here before being taken to Axum.
In the early 6th century, the temple became the centre of a monastic Christian community, founded by Abba Afse. The monastery now holds one of the most remarkable collections of treasures and antiquities of any Ethiopian church, containing many ancient illuminated manuscripts and crowns.