Lalibela

Lalibela

The town of Lalibela is located in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. It is a tourist destination famous for its monolithic temples carved into the rock in Lasta District and North Wollo Zone. Lalibela as a site is a major and significant site of Ethiopia's ancient, medieval and post-medieval civilization. For Christians, Lalibela is one of the holiest cities and pilgrimage sites in Ethiopia. Ethiopia's historical roots go back to the time of the apostles, and it was one of the earliest nations to embrace Christianity, in the first half of the 4th century, but the churches are from the 7th to the 13th century. Lalibela lies at an altitude of about 2500m. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1978 because of its rock-hewn churches. The 11 medieval monolithic cave churches of the 13th century "New Jerusalem" are located in the vicinity of a traditional village of circular dwellings. There are two major groups of churches. The first is north of the river: Biete Medhani Alem (House of the Saviour of the World), Biete Mariam (House of Mary), Biete Maskal (House of the Cross), Biete Denagel (House of Virgins), Biete Golgotha Mikael (House of Golgotha Mikael). The second, south of the river, Biete Amanuel (House of Emmanuel), Biete Qeddus Mercoreus (House of St. Mercoreos), Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abbot Libanos), Biete Gabriel Raphael (House of Gabriel Raphael), and Biete Lehem (House of Holy Bread). Isolated from the others, but connected by a system of ditches, is the eleventh church, Biete Ghiorgis (House of St. George).