Lalibela – The Legendary Rock-Hewn Churches

Lalibela is one of the eight wonders of the world and the beating heart of Ethiopia. A place of beauty, spirituality and mystery; Lalibela is simply magical. More than 800 years ago, King Lalibela set out to create a ‘New Jerusalem’ with 11 rock-hewn churches painstakingly carved out of solid volcanic rock. The craftsmanship is so extraordinary—using only 12th and 13th century hand tools—that local legend claims angels helped them to build them. Beneath these architectural marvels lie catacombs and ceremonial passages, including a pitch black tunnel said to represent the journey through hell.

The rock-hewn churches include Bête Medhane-Alem (Holy Savior of the World), believed to be the largest monolithic church in the world according to UNESCO. Its grand scale is remarkable, with more than 30 imposing columns adorning its exterior. But Biete Ghiorgis, or Church of Saint George, is the most memorable site, with its iconic cross shape peering down into its sunken courtyard; it is easy to see how this blend of nature, architecture, and spirituality has captivated visitors for centuries.

The historical site of Lalibela consists of five churches north of the town’s river Jordan; the other five are situated south of the river and one of them is independently located. The churches in each grouping are connected by a system of tunnels and trenches. The northern churches are Medhane-Alem, Biete Maryam, Biete Golgotha-Mikael, Biete Meskel, and Biete Denagel. The southern churches are Biete Amanuel, Biete Qeddus Mercoreus, Biete Abba Libanos, and Biete Gabriel-Rufael. Biete Ghiorgis, the eleventh church, is connected to the others by trenches as well.