Lalibela is a village in the Wollo region of Ethiopia and is home to centuries-old churches carved into the rock under your feet. Some of the churches are nearly three stories tall, and the thirteen churches in the village are connected by a series of tunnels and narrow passageways. Each church is carved from one solid piece of rock and all are still used as places of worship by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. As legends and tour guides tell it, the churches were built by King Lalibela (whose name means “Honey Eater”) with only the help of angels. The sites have recently been protected by imposing scaffolding, built by UNESCO, to protect the churches from damage. Lalibela truly is one of the most amazing sites in Ethiopia, and though words can’t do it justice, pictures are only a bit better. You have to come visit yourself! At any rate, I have posted some pictures below.
Entering in to the first of the churches
Ethiopian Orthodox priest posing with ancient cross of Lalibela
Interior of church
Relief carving inside of a church
Bet Giorgis church from above
Bet Giorgis, again
Bet Giorgis from below
Scene from the village of Lalibela
Looking down on the village from the mountain above
Intrepid traveler and new friends on top of the mountain above Lalibela
A rock-hewn church carved deep into the stone
A priest standing outside stone church in Lalibela
